---
title: "Signing Martinez could be the trick to unlocking Almiron’s potential"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2020/01/23/signing-martinez-could-be-the-trick-to-unlocking-almirons-potential/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Ryan Darby"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2020-01-23T12:30:00Z"
modified: "2020-01-23T15:43:32Z"
---

# Signing Martinez could be the trick to unlocking Almiron’s potential

Newcastle have recently been linked with a move to sign Josef Martinez from Atlanta United.

[According to Chronicle Live](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-news-transfers-live-17609247), the Magpies are monitoring the striker, who is [valued](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/schnellsuche/ergebnis/schnellsuche?query=Martinez&x=0&y=0#) at £15.75m, ahead of a potential move and it’s a signing that could have huge benefits for Miguel Almiron.

Prior to his £21 million move ([BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47072107)) to join Newcastle, the pair lined up alongside one another for Atlanta and formed one of the most dangerous attacks in the MLS. As shown on [Atlanta’s](https://www.atlutd.com/post/2018/11/16/fusion-best-combinations-our-2-best-xi-recipients)[official website](https://www.atlutd.com/post/2018/11/16/fusion-best-combinations-our-2-best-xi-recipients), you only have to look at some of the highlights of the two playing together to see the relationship they have. Not to mention their famous Dragon Ball Z inspired ‘Fusion’ celebration.

> Josef Martinez uses his first goal celebration of 2019 as a tribute to former [@ATLUTD](https://twitter.com/ATLUTD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) teammate Miguel Almiron. ? [pic.twitter.com/UYyx8BVeml](https://t.co/UYyx8BVeml)
>
> — Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) [March 1, 2019](https://twitter.com/BallySportsSO/status/1101289466512269313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

During his time at Atlanta, Almiron would often find space on the left wing before delivering a pin-point cross for Martinez to dispatch. In 2018, the pair were the two highest ranked players for expected goals and assists throughout the entire MLS ([ASA](https://www.americansocceranalysis.com/player-xg-2018/)).

Between them, they scored a combined 43 [goals](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/josef-martinez/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/162569/plus/0?saison=2017&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=MLS1&pos=&trainer_id=) and also registered an impressive 18 assists during the 2017/18 MLS campaign ([transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/miguel-almiron/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/272999/plus/0?saison=2017&verein=&liga=&wettbewerb=MLS1&pos=&trainer_id=)).

After seeing the [links](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-news-transfers-live-17609247) to Martinez, one concern Newcastle supporters might raise is the slow start that Almiron made after joining the club. He has scored just four times in England so far ([transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/miguel-almiron/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/272999)) and it’s only recently that Steve Bruce’s side are beginning to see the Paraguayan somewhere near his best, with three goals in his last five appearances ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/303924/Show/Miguel-Almir%C3%B3n)).

The hope would be that playing alongside a forward that he has such a strong understanding with could not only bring the best out of him but also help Martinez settle much quicker if a deal were to happen, despite not playing in European football since leaving Torino in 2017 ([ESPN](https://www.espn.co.uk/football/soccer-transfers/story/3052389/venezuela-striker-josef-martinez-joins-atlanta-united-as-designated-player)).