Atlanta United president Darren Eales has revealed that versatile attacker Miguel Almiron will only join Newcastle United if his £30m valuation is met.
The Magpies are considered the firm favourites to land the Paraguay international when the January transfer window opens for European clubs.
Reports in South America on Wednesday went as far to suggest that a deal is already in place, in fact, days after United boss Rafael Benitez had denied that a £15m offer had been made.
However, Newcastle have been warned by former Tottenham Hotspur chief Eales that it will take more than double that figure to land the 24-year-old.
"I will only get out of bed when it starts with a three! That is the sort of level it has to be for a player of his quality," he told The Mirror. "He's that good? Yes, he's great really. I am not surprised there is interest from top clubs. He has got great ability.
"He is faster with the ball than without. He reminds me a lot of Gareth Bale in that respect, from when I was at Spurs. He went from Paraguay to Argentina, proved himself, then came to America. One of his greatest qualities is he does both sides of the game.
"He is a mercurial talent. He scores free kicks, he sets up people, like Jose Martinez in our final. He also tracks back. He will make a 60-yard run to back. He is the ultimate in term of going both ways. He is a team player.
"The reality is he is under contract at a club that has just won the title and he plays in front of over 70,000 fans and has an owner who is a billionaire and has had the taste of winning... so it has got to be an offer that is going to be good for the player, good for the league and most importantly good for Atlanta United."
Almiron played a direct part in 24 goals for MLS Cup winners Atlanta in the 2018 season, which concluded last weekend.
Daniel Lewis
