Expert issues ‘unprecedented’ Miguel Almiron claim after Newcastle United talks twist – pundit
Noel Whelan has insisted Miguel Almiron is fully deserving of a new contract at Newcastle United.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Leeds United and Coventry City forward claimed he has never seen a player as happy at a club as Almiron is at Newcastle.
The 28-year-old has been one of the club’s standout performers this season with six goals in 12 Premier League games but he has entered the final two years of his contract.
The Telegraph reported on Thursday (27 October) that Newcastle are set to reward Almiron with a new contract.
However, Eddie Howe, as quoted by Newcastle World on Friday (28 October) denied that any negotiations have taken place.
“Usually when you get given a new contract it is because of how you are performing right now at this particular time,” Whelan told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“You’ve got to say he’s really turned his form around. He’s turned those hard-working performances into goals and assists.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player so happy, quite frankly. I think that’s a lot to do with the manager as well.
“The players they’ve brought in have improved him and the whole squad in general. They’ve got a style of play that suits. There’s a discipline about them both on and off the ball.
“You have to say he’s had hard-working performances and has now added goals and assists. That’s a big part of it.
“We saw a lot of Almiron doing the hard stuff, defending and getting up and down the line but there wasn’t that end product.
“Now you are finding that end product. Some of the goals that he’s scored this season have to be up there for goal of the season.
“I think there will be a conversation taking place. I don’t think there’s any harm in giving the player a two or three-year contract.
“Whether he’s going to be a bit-part player, you need that strength in depth. He’s still going to offer something to Newcastle, you can see that now.”
In other news, Newcastle United are lining up a club-record £60million contract offer.