Newcastle missed a potential summer upgrade on Miguel Almiron in Napoli star Hirving Lozano.
What was the story?
Reports over the summer transfer window suggested that the Magpies were in very advanced talks to sign the Mexico international, and that a deal to lure the winger away from Italy was close.
It was claimed that after enduring a difficult debut campaign in Serie A – he managed just five goals in 34 games across all competitions – Napoli wanted to get him off the books and were willing to sell him for a lower price than what they originally signed him for a year earlier.
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A deal failed to materialise before the deadline, and the chances of landing a star attacker went with it.
Almiron upgrade
Valued at £25.2m by Transfermarkt, Lozano has got all the raw attributes to become a top player, and he could have been a major game-changer for Newcastle.
His manager at Napoli, Gennaro Gattuso, claimed that his speed is “crazy”, whilst his goal-scoring record at former club PSV is something to behold. Despite predominantly operating behind the front-man and out wide, the Mexican showed his incredible knack at finding the back of the net – not surprising given that he’s been compared to now Atletico Madrid superstar Luis Suarez.
In the 79 games that he played for the Eredivisie giants, he scored 40 goals and provided a further 23 assists too, and when you compare those kinds of numbers to Newcastle’s own resident live-wire, Almiron, then it’s really chalk and cheese.
The Paraguay international has scored a measly nine times in 59 games for the club, and has struggled to see his work-rate and energy reflected in end-product.
Had they managed to land Lozano, they would have got a huge upgrade on the former MLS ace.