The latest potential suitor for Atlanta United’s Thiago Almada has presented itself, according to reports first made by Brazilian outlet Globo. Botafogo, a top flight Brazilian side currently competing in the Copa Libertadores, has shown interest in the Argentine playmaker, and on the final day of the Brazilian transfer window has made an offer of $20 million, per Gaston Edul of TyC. However, the report also states that the deal is unlikely to be completed.
That figure won’t be enough to raise the eyebrows of Garth Lagerwey and the rest of Atlanta’s front office though, who would like Almada to warrant a transfer fee surpassing Miguel Almiron’s league record $27 million. The price tag placed on the midfielder has been enough to make clubs across Europe hesitant in their interest, if rumors in the past months are to be believed. The World Cup champion is unlikely to be tempted by a move back to South America as well, given his outspoken intentions of crossing the Atlantic and landing a deal in Europe in the near future.
Almada, fresh off of captaining the Argentina U-23s through Olympic Qualifying, shouldn’t expect to part ways with the Five Stripes just yet. Only one match into the 2024 MLS season, Atlanta will bank on the services of the MVP finalist as they seek a strong start to the year. With summer just around the corner, we’ll expect the rumor mill around Thiago to pick back up in a few months, and all the craziness that comes with it.
It seems serious. Botafogo is now owned by John Textor (US guy who also owns Crystal Palace). They almost won Serie A last year (lost steam in the final games). This would not be bad for Almada. He is not having attention playing for Atlanta, not from UEFA. it seems. At Botafogo he would play Serie A, and Libertadores, a much bigger window. And since Botafogo is connected to EPL, a trade could be also in the plans.
Zero percent chance this happens
Why? Atlanta hasn´t had serious offers for Almada until now.
John Textor simultaneously admits they really want him…and that he’ll be worth 2-3 times the current offer in a couple of years? Not exactly what I’d consider a…strong negotiator.
With the right sell-on percentage maybe
Might well be what he’s pitching. But not sure why Atlanta should think Botafogo is in a better position to develop his game and brand.
Botafogo’s owner may be simply trying to get some free publicity and get local fans excited when he knows Atlanta will never accept the offer and Almada will refuse to go. It’s also possible that he knows that nobody in Europe has ever offered this much, so he may be waiting to see if Atlanta will get desperate. European teams will pay any amount of money without question for players anywhere except in MLS. When they deal with MLS, suddenly the buying teams cry out poverty, Fair Play rules, etc.
I don’t see us getting desperate to offload an MVP caliber player who runs our team
No way he leaves except for Europe. Going to Brazil would be a horizontal move rather than a significant step forward.
Beg to disagree. But, you know.
transfermarkt has him at EU 27m right now, so $29-30m USD. i think we keep him til this summer, but then he goes to europe for $30-32m
This seems likely…….
And then, you use the ‘Almada GAM’ to buy down Gregersen. Bring in a DP where needed. Bring in a U22 DP to replace Almada, who doesn’t have to ball out from day 1.
yeah…call me naive (and we are way too early in the season for me to be making statements like this), but firmino and maybe saba as the 10 doesn’t make me sweat. not saying they are like for like replacements. almada is really special. but i think both of those guys have the potential to do well in that role for us.