Newcastle agree club-record fee for Benitez’s top transfer target

Newcastle have finally made a breakthrough in talks with MLS champions Atlanta United for the transfer of star creator Miguel Almiron, claims the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

The Magpies have been locked in talks with Atlanta all month but talks were on the brink of collapse due to financial demands involved.

Rafa Benitez threatened to quit Newcastle if the club failed to land some of his transfer targets before Thursday’s deadline and that message appears to have accelerated talks with Atlanta.

Newcastle have reportedly agreed a deal worth an initial £20m, which would surpass the £17m fee the club paid Real Madrid for Michael Owen in 2005.

Benitez’s side languish just one place above the bottom three and have found goals particularly hard to come by this season.

Only Huddersfield (13) have scored fewer goals than Newcastle (19) in the Premier League this term and Benitez will hope Almiron can provide much-needed creativity.

The 25-year-old played an integral part for Atlanta last season, firing them to MLS glory. Almiron was one of just six players that finished the campaign in double figures for goals (13) and assists (11).