Reports out of South America emerged this afternoon that Atlanta United are nearing a deal with 21 year old defensive midfielder Mauricio Amaro, who currently plays for Defensor Sporting in the Liga AUF Uruguaya.
Uruguayan journalist Nico Musetti broke the news with the additional detail that Amaro would be travelling to the United States this week to complete the deal, which is said to be above $3 million USD. This would fill Atlanta United’s third U-22 initiative roster spot, joining Tomas Jacob and Elias Baez as the other two.
The Five Stripes have long been in the market for a serviceable number six to anchor the midfield and, in Tata Martino’s system, drop between the center backs and allow the fullbacks to push up the field.
Could this promising young midfielder be the latest move in Atlanta United’s rebuilding process? Keep an eye out, and we’ll see how the deal progresses.
Hey Popkin, check the spelling of UruguAyan!
Off topic, but I see on X that Almada is returning to River Plate for a 20M Euro fee. I wonder how much, if any, of that sell-on fee we should get.
Of course, Botofogo still has not paid us the original fee.
Secondarily, was Almada not a success in Europe and is being gotten rid of, or was this more of a situation where he wanted to come home and the team facilitated that?
He’s not the first creative player that wasn’t a good fit at Atletico under Simeone
Almada wasn’t heavily used. He left a league where he was a star and clearly in a position that best fits him (CAM) to go be in a league and team where he was just another member and playing on the wing.
Can’t say for certain why he’s heading to River Plate, but I don’t think it had any turmoil behind it.
Everyone wants that big striker but building the core of the team is important too. $3M though? Time will tell.
I’m still of the mindset we need some local/MLS talent. We don’t need a full team of SA’s.
For what it’s worth, comments on the X posts from fans of his current club mostly seem to hate that he is leaving.
I have no idea if he’s good, and I have no faith in the FO. But on paper this looks like the profile we should be excited for.
All I ask is whoever is in charge of the Visa process starts it ow or as soon as possible.
I would prefer to not have to wake numerous weeks for a newly signed player to actually hit the field.
At this point, I will believe it if/once he shows it on the pitch as an Atlanta player. We have been burned too many times at this point to be excited about any potential new player.
I watched the highlights, and from that he has good vision and long range passing a la Sosa, and a couple small clips of decent dribbling; but there wasn’t much showing his defensive ability, his speed, or his press resistance.
I need some proof of those before I have any hope that he’ll be a good choice.
Think this is actually a good deal. Then we need a winger and striker. Not optimistic about all getting addressed