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Newcastle’s Almiron ‘honored’ but knows nothing of Real Madrid reports

Leicester City v Newcastle United - Premier League

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 12: Ayoze Perez of Newcastle United celebrates with teammate Miguel Almiron of Newcastle United after scoring his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Newcastle United at The King Power Stadium on April 12, 2019 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

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Rumors from Paraguay of a Real Madrid in Miguel Almiron have reached the Newcastle United playmaker.

Signed on a club record fee last year from Major League Soccer and Atlanta United, Almiron electrified the Magpies’ attack even if he didn’t assault the stat sheet.

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Current Newcastle owner Mike Ashley loves a profit more than most, and Almiron’s boss Rafa Benitez will leave the club on Sunday.

A report last week claimed that Real would look at Almiron if its unable to land a playmaker like Paul Pogba or Neymar. Could all these things conspire to make Almiron’s tenure at Newcastle just a half season?

From The Chronicle:

“No, I do not know anything about that,” Almiron replied. “For me it’s an honor that a team like that [Real Madrid] looks at me, but I’m not aware of anything and now I’m focused on the Copa America, and then Newcastle.”

The Magpies are again in limbo, with Benitez leaving and a mysterious takeover bid from the Middle East leaking few details after a hot and heavy debut.

Claudio Ranieri and Giovanni van Bronckhorst have been linked with the manager’s job, as have a laundry list of others. While there’s no guarantee that the Magpies new boss would rate Almiron, it’s hard to believe that coach would think there’s enough talent and budget at Newcastle to appreciate the idea of selling the Paraguayan playmaker.

Follow @NicholasMendola