Newcastle have landed a huge boost in our hopes of retaining Miguel Almiron this summer, as the Paraguayan has told Sport that he is unaware of the alleged interest shown by Real Madrid.
It was claimed in the South American media that Los Blancos were scouting the attacking midfielder at this summer’s Copa America, after he assisted two goals in the opening two Group Stage fixtures. The British press then followed the claims up with suggestions of a £35million price tag being placed on the 25-year-old, who only moved to Tyneside in January for £21million.
While Almiron failed to have a direct impact on Paraguay’s final Group Stage game against Colombia as they lost 1-0, two draws were enough for Juan Carlos Osorio’s men to progress to the Quarter-Finals, where they faced Brazil on Thursday night.
Ahead of their showdown with the Selecao, Almiron spoke with the Catalan daily sports newspaper Sport, where he said he had no awareness of the alleged interest, but added that it is an ‘honour’ to have his name associated with the La Liga and Champions League giant.
“No, I do not know anything about that,” he said. “For me, it’s an honour that a team like that looks at me. But I’m not aware of anything, and now I’m focused on the Copa America, and then Newcastle.”
During his brief stint in the Premier League before picking up a hamstring injury in April, the attacking midfielder made nine starts and one substitute outing for United, in which he played 13 key passes, completed seven dribbles and took 19 shots.