MLS
Atlanta United is in advanced talks with Eagle Football Holdings to sell midfielder Thiago Almada, according to people familiar with the discussions.
Eagle Football is owned by American John Textor and has stakes in Brazilian side Botafogo, Ligue 1’s Olympique Lyon, RWD Molenbeek of Belgium and Premier League club Crystal Palace.
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Argentinian reporter Cesar Merlo first reported Atlanta United were evaluating a $20 million (£15.8m) bid for playmaker Almada.
If Atlanta accepts the offer, it is likely Almada would first join Botafogo before moving to one of Eagle Football’s European sides. Atlanta United declined to comment.
A person familiar with the negotiations told The Athletic that Almada is not yet convinced regarding a possible move to Brazil. He has remained adamant that playing in Europe is his ultimate goal, telling TyC Sports in Argentina last week that he’s enjoying his time in Atlanta but “I have a desire to play in Europe in the top leagues.”
Almada, 23, was signed in 2022 for $16 million from Argentina’s Velez Sarsfield and he under contract with Atlanta United until December 2026.
He was an MVP candidate last season after scoring 11 goals and adding 19 assists. At the time, Atlanta United’s CEO Garth Lagerwey said Almada was “deserving” of a record transfer. The current MLS record is Atlanta United’s deal that sent Miguel Almiron to Newcastle United for $27 million in 2019.
“I can’t control what other teams offer us, but do I think he’s deserving of a record transfer? I do,” Lagerwey told The Athletic last September. “I think there’s objective numbers to support that.”
Since then, however, Almada has not performed at the same level. His drop in form has coincided with Atlanta United’s current season struggles. Almada has scored five goals and provided two assists in 16 games. The 2018 MLS Cup champions fired head coach Gonzalo Pineda on June 3 following the club’s fifth straight loss at home to Charlotte FC. They’ve since drawn twice and won once and are now in ninth place in the Eastern Conference.
Almada is no longer a shoe-in to break MLS’ outgoing transfer record but a strong performance at the summer Olympics in Paris could potentially raise his value. Almada captained Argentina’s U-23s throughout Olympic qualifying and will be key for Javier Mascherano’s side.
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However, it would be a gamble for Atlanta United to place all of their chips on Almada shining at the Olympic tournament. The pressure on the player to prove to European scouts that he’s a worthy investment will be significant as well.
There’s also a notable time pressure for Atlanta United’s front office: the Olympics begin on July 26 and end on August 11, with the MLS summer transfer window closing just three days later. Atlanta United would have to receive and accept a transfer for Almada and sign a replacement within that timeframe.
Almada’s player profile is another hurdle. He is very talented with a quick burst of pace and impressive dribbling ability; a player who can strike the ball with accuracy both off the dribble and from a set piece. But his slight frame has raised questions about whether or not he can play in some of Europe’s more physical leagues. If the Premier League and Bundesliga are not viable options, for example, then the number of teams who can pay over $25 million for Almada is much more limited.
(Top photo: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Felipe Cardenas is a staff writer for The Athletic who covers MLS and international soccer. Follow Felipe on Twitter @FelipeCar
