Atlético Madrid express interest in Thiago Almada - Replacement for Ángel Correa?

Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Barcelona... The list of interested clubs for Thiago Almada appears to be endless. Now transfer expert Fabrizio Romano brings yet another major club into play. According to Romano, Almada is right at the top of Atlético Madrid's list. At Atléti, he could become the replacement for Ángel Correa, who is being pursued by Saudi Arabian clubs.

“Almada has made it clear that he would like to leave MLS for Europe sooner rather than later,” Manuel Veth, Transfermarkt Area Manager North America, said. “But Atlanta United have thus far been opposed to the notion of allowing their superstar to leave. Some of that might be tactical. After all, Atlanta United have sold players in the past to Europe, most notable Miguel Almirón for €24m to Newcastle United.”

Indeed, Atlanta president and CEO Garth Lagerwey keeps avoiding questions about his superstar. “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. “I think there’s objective numbers to support that.” The “objective numbers” Lagerwey talks about: 20 goals and 23 assists in 66 games for Atlanta across all competitions.

Veth also believes that a transfer of Almada would break the MLS transfer record: “There is some notion that Atlanta would like to benefit from the Messi hype a little longer by having their own World Cup winner in the squad. An Almada vs Messi showdown in the Eastern Conference would also be tantalizing for rights holder Apple. With all that in mind, any club wanting to sign Almada will have to break the MLS transfer record to sign the Argentine.”

From MLS to the World Cup 

Thiago Almada joined the Five Stripes from his youth club Vélez Sarsfield in February 2022. The transfer fee amounted to $16m, making him the most expensive new signing in MLS history. Since then, Almada has been a standout player for Atlanta United.

“Other than Lionel Messi, Thiago Almada is the most talented player in MLS today,” Veth said. “Although he was a late addition to the squad, the fact that he was part of the Argentina national team that won the World Cup in 2022 speaks for itself.”

Almada made his debut for the Argentinian national team in September 2022. In November, he was called up for the World Cup at short notice after Joaquín Correa withdrew due to injury.

Almada: A maestro in the midfield

“A typical no.10, Almada is best used behind a natural center forward,” Veth describes Almada. “But don't be surprised to see him on either wing, rushing forward to join the attack. His vision, ability to find the open space, and understanding which space his forward will run into stands out.”