Arsenal are reportedly poised to sign Paraguayan international Miguel Almiron, who plies his trade for MLS outfit Atlanta United, in January.
Premier League giants Arsenal are set to complete the signing of Atlanta United star Miguel Almiron in the winter transfer window, the MLS club’s president Darren Eales has revealed.
The 24-year old attacking midfielder joined the Five Stripes from Argentine outfit Lanus in January last year and has gone onto establish himself as one of the most exciting talents in the MLS.
Having bagged 9 goals and 8 assists in 32 appearances in his debut campaign with Atlanta United, Almiron has already improved on his returns in the ongoing season, scoring 12 times and setting up 13 more in 33 appearances across all competitions.
Arsenal had expressed a strong interest in signing Almiron in the summer of 2016, while he was still at Lanus, but a move had failed to materialize. There was an approach made by the Gunners again last year, as per the player’s agent Daniel Ocampos, but once again, the move fell through.
However, now it seems like they might finally be getting their man in the winter window, with Atlanta United president Eales confirming that the 24-year old is heading to England in January. Eales told FOX Deportes USA (h/t The Sun): “Almiron’s future is already decided and will go to England in the European winter market.”
Speaking in the summer about the prospect of moving to the Premier League, Almiron had revealed his ambitions to succeed in the English top-flight. “My objective has always been to go to Europe. I like the Premier League and I think they play a beautiful and competitive style of soccer,” he had said.
Arsenal are set to lose Welsh international Aaron Ramsey when his current contract expires at the end of the season. The Gunners were involved in negotiations with the midfielder over a new deal, but weren’t able to come to an agreement and are resigned to losing him, with interest in plenty for his services from the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Arsenal were reportedly looking at Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski as a like-for-like replacement for the Welshman, but they seem to have settled on Almiron instead, who is a cheaper alternative in comparison to the Polish international.
A central attacking midfielder by trade, 24-year old Almiron has been utilized out wide on either flanks as well as in a withdrawn role in the middle of the park. The 13-time capped Paraguayan international is best known for his sharp and incisive passing in the final third, while he can also chip in with goals by himself regularly, as indicated by his numbers in the ongoing season.
With pace, creativity, vision and impressive off-the-ball work rate, Almiron seems cut out to be a part of the exciting team new manager Unai Emery is building at the Emirates. Should the move go through in January, he has the potential to be a highly impressive capture for Arsenal.
