Newcastle United should not be 'in a rush' to sell Miguel Almiron this summer, according to former captain Warren Barton. The former Magpies' record signing has fallen out of favour under Eddie Howe, and reports suggest the club are open to the Paraguayan international's departure.
Almiron has not scored in black-and-white since February last year, and has made just four Premier League starts under the former Bournemouth boss. The Newcastle head coach has so far preferred Ryan Fraser and Allan Saint-Maximin as his wide options, with no place for the 28-year-old in the side as a number 10.
Barton accepts Almiron has found it 'difficult' on Tyneside since arriving from MLS side Atalanta United in January 2019, and admits the goalscoring return has not been good enough from the playmaker. However, the Fox Sports pundit believes the team 'never played to his strengths' under former boss Steve Bruce.
READ MORE: Newcastle's exciting 'other Brunos' summer transfer hint and owners' big guest
Almiron is approaching the final two years of his contract, and his current squad status would suggest he is one of several players Howe could choose to cash in on this summer. Barton is a huge fan of the attacker's 'commitment' and 'work-rate', but acknowledges his current struggles does mark him out as a potential saleable asset.
Barton told ChronicleLive: "He came into a team that was struggling, I like his work-rate and commitment but like anything, you are judged on your goals and assists. He's found it difficult, but the way we were playing was hard for him.
"He's still young enough, he still does well when he goes away for internationals. I wouldn't be in a rush to get rid of him. You could get good money for him because of his age, his pedigree, and where he's played.
"He wouldn't be the first player that it's not worked out for, but I've always been a big fan of his attitude, commitment and his desire and work-rate. But sometimes you need a little bit more, you need a little bit of luck.
"The team wasn't really playing to his strengths, he was asked to play 60 yards away from goal. Since things have changed, he's not really found a way of getting into the team because of how Eddie is playing.
"[Ryan] Fraser has been on fire, so it's been hard for him to get in with [Allan] Saint-Maximin being Saint-Maximin too.
"He's found it very difficult to get in. Like I said, I wouldn't be in a rush to get rid of him, but I understand he could be one you could get money for. If that's where the club is moving on, we wish him well and then you go in another direction."
Almiron earned his move to Newcastle off the back of his form with MLS outfit Atalanta United, while La Liga champions Atletico Madrid have previously been credited with an interest. If the Magpies do decide to cash-in this summer, Barton is confident the playmaker will have 'choices'.
He added: "For him personally, when he was at Atalanta, he was by far the best player in the league. If he was looking at an MLS return, maybe David Beckham's Inter Miami could do a lot worse than picking him up.
"You could get good money for him because of his age, his pedigree, and where he's played. He'll have choices, whether that's in Europe or maybe back in the MLS where he was a superstar."
We want to hear your thoughts, so LOG IN and leave your comment below
