Alan Shearer says this is the real reason NUFC signed Miguel Almiron - Could he be right?
Alan Shearer believes NUFC new boy Miguel Almiron will prove to be a 'very good signing' for the club - but believes Ashley only sanctioned the deal as he feared he would lose Rafa AND season ticket holders.
Big Al often plays devil's advocate and I don't blame him. After all, he has had first hand experience of Mike Ashley so has a decent idea of what Rafa has gone through.
Here's what he had to say when asked about news of Almiron's imminent club record arrival:
“At last. The two reasons why something had to happen at Newcastle – they’ve got to keep Rafa and they had to show Rafa that they mean business.
“The other reason is it’s season ticket renewal time and there are thousands threatening not to renew their season tickets so they had to make a statement. Hopefully it’s the first of many.
“Almiron will be a club record and he’ll be a very good signing. He’s what Newcastle want – a number 10, skilful, left-footed, a bit of pace. He’ll be useful.”
He speaks positively of Almiron himself, however he remains doubtful when it comes to Ashley's intentions - suggesting he's only sanctioned the deal in panic after 'thousands' threatened to cancel their season tickets.
His comment about it 'hopefully being the first of many' is the key thing here for me. We don't know exactly why Ashley gave this club record deal the green light - either way it's positive for NUFC - however the big test will come in the summer.
Will he back Benitez again? Will he sanction several big money buys? Training ground improvements? Academy development?
We shall see, but for now at least Benitez will have a spring in his step, with Ashley FINALLY allowing him to sign one of his top targets for big money.
