Tuesday open thread: January transfer window ticker

It’s Tuesday, and we’re just as clueless (if not, moreso) than we were last week regarding the fate of Miguel Almiron, and to an extent, Ezequiel Barco.

The latest news is that Almiron’s agent, Dani Campos, is reportedly on a European tour trying to play matchmaker for his client and find a club that may agree to Atlanta United’s terms, this according to The Chronicle out of Newcastle. (-Ed. Note: Ed Aarons of The Guardian has chimed in early this morning confirming various rumors and speculation that Napoli are the Italian club interested in Almiron.)

The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder further reported yesterday that Almiron’s deal with Newcastle has “fell though,” though the veracity of Ryder’s language is undetermined. The Chronicle reports that Newcastle has agreed to pay no more than £16 million ($21 million) for the Paraguayan.

This all comes after Sky Sports reported Friday that there was an “increased chance” that a deal would be struck between the two clubs compared to a week prior.

Something to note here regarding the reports coming out of publications close to Newcastle: these reporters have seemed to be the most pessimistic about a move happening since the start of the January window. It’s important to consider the proximity of these reporters to Newcastle FC, just as it’s important to consider our own perceptions and biases as we exist within the Atlanta United bubble. Those reporters’ sources at Newcastle may have a tactical incentives to leak certain information, just as we have been subject to a specific messaging platform from Atlanta’s front office (“we don’t have to sell” etc.). Just something to chew on.

So, who knows what today will bring, but obviously we’ll keep an eye on Almiron’s situation.

Also in the news yesterday was Leandro Gonzalez Pirez as a target of Boca Juniors (funny, considering he’s originally a River Plate academy product). I wouldn’t put any stock in this.

Boca Jrs may very well want him, but with so little time left to find a replacement, this one appears to be a non-starter. We’ll see if there’s any development here, of course.

Today offers us another rumor purely out of left field. Spanish journalist Jerónimo Tormo reports that Paul Pogba’s brother Florentin was all set to be announced by La Liga 2 side Elche CF until he informed the club he would be heading to MLS. Tormo says that Atlanta United are the club he’ll be coming to.

This one seems so random that it might just make sense? It’s something to keep an eye on at least.

10:54 a.m. - It’s safe to say that the reports around Boca Juniors’ chase for Leandro Gonzalez Pirez are picking up steam. Here is highly respected journalist Leandro Aguilera reporting that Boca have made an official bid for the Argentine center back.

Hold on to your butts.