Charlotte FC gives up on Almirón and misses out on major market opportunity

The transfer market is a jungle, and Charlotte FC has just been swallowed up by the fiercest predator of all: financial demands. The soap opera involving the attempt to bring Miguel Almirón back to Major League Soccer ended with a bitter conclusion for the American club. Even after advanced talks and an initial agreement on the personal terms of the contract, the deal fell through due to Newcastle United's exorbitant demands, leaving the Charlotte board with no option but to abandon the negotiation.

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Expectations were high. Bringing Almirón back to the MLS, where he shone as a true star at Atlanta United, would be a masterstroke for Charlotte FC. Almirón would not only raise the technical level of the team, but also inject tremendous media weight. A player who was instrumental in winning the MLS Cup in 2018 with Atlanta United, and who already knows the ins and outs of American soccer, would be a dream come true for any club in the league.

But dreams in soccer come at a price. And in this case, the price was too high. Fabrizio Romano, the transfer oracle, revealed that Newcastle wanted just over £15 million to release the Paraguayan. Charlotte FC, on the other hand, were willing to pay around 9.1 million euros, a considerable difference which, in the end, prevented any possibility of an agreement. With the MLS transfer window about to close, time, which was already short, became the biggest enemy in this negotiation.

It's not the first time we've seen a promising deal fall apart over financial issues. Charlotte FC were betting big on Almirón, knowing that the return would be significant. A player who cost Newcastle £21 million in 2019 and who has 58 Paraguayan caps to his name would bring more than goals; he would bring experience, charisma and an instant connection with the fans. However, reality struck and the club had to face the fact that the Premier League is a different ball game when it comes to money.

For Newcastle, letting Almirón leave for a fee that didn't meet their expectations would have been almost financial suicide. Amid the demands of keeping Financial Fair Play (FFP) in order, Almirón's departure could offer considerable relief to the Magpies' accounts. It's no secret that the player was basically paid off in terms of FFP, and a transfer in the region of £20 million would give the club a £17 million boost to its balance sheet. But what would have been a blessing for the English became a curse for the Americans.

From Almirón's point of view, the opportunity to return to the MLS seemed seductive. The Paraguayan, who made history with Atlanta United, was ready to end his cycle in English soccer and embrace a new challenge in the United States. After all, he knows the league well, he knows how things work, and returning as a hero to a new club would be the perfect scenario to continue his career. But, as the old saying goes, desire is not always power, and Almirón's wish was thwarted by the financial realities of modern soccer.

Charlotte FC now have to rethink their approach to the next transfer market. The club missed out on a golden opportunity, and it won't be easy to find another player with the same combination of talent, experience and media appeal that Almirón offered. The board will have to make do with what they have or look for more affordable alternatives that can at least fill the gap left by this failed deal, but they are racing against the clock.

What is clear is that the MLS market, despite its progress, still faces considerable challenges when it comes to competing with the big European leagues. Money speaks louder, and in this case the cry was so loud that Charlotte FC had to back down. For the club's fans, there is the frustration of seeing a major reinforcement slip through their fingers, but also the hope that the next target could be a good name.

In the meantime, Almirón remains at Newcastle, at least for the time being. The Paraguayan, who many believed was ready for a new adventure in the MLS, will have to continue his career in the Premier League. For him, the chance to return to America has been postponed, but not ruled out. Soccer, as always, is full of surprises, and who knows what the future holds?

Charlotte FC, for their part, are back on the drawing board. And the lesson is clear: in soccer, the best move is not always the one you see, but the one you can afford.