Newcastle United are reportedly already planning for life after Miguel Almiron, by priming youngster Rodrigo Vilca.
According to a report from The Chronicle, the Magpies have very high hopes for the Peruvian starlet, who was signed by the club last summer.
His £250,000 transfer from Municipal Deportivo went under the radar somewhat, but Newcastle coaches are said to see Vilca as a ‘beacon signing’.
It’s explained that Vilca had been due to head out on loan somewhere in Europe during the last transfer window, but a muscle tear meant that plan had to be aborted.
He’s currently recuperating at his Tyneside flat with brother Fabian.
Apparently so far, Vilca has impressed coaches with his ‘diligence, desire and ability’, and there is real hope that he can be the replacement for Almiron when the Paraguay international eventually moves on.
Long-term planning is good
To hear that Newcastle hold Vilca in such high regard is exciting.
It’s also a positive move from the club because fans are well aware that Almiron is represented by people who have the potential to make life difficult for the club.
In November, Daniel Campos talked up a potential exit for his client, claiming that Atletico Madrid were interested and that Almiron would have left had it not been for the pandemic (via Goal).
As good as £20 million star Almiron (ESPN) is, few are expecting him to spend many years at the club, and so it’s good that there seems to be a plan in place – hopefully Vilca can live up to expectation.
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