The deal is said to be done but the arrival had to be delayed.
Thiago Almada didn’t arrive in Atlanta ahead of the MLS Transfer Deadline like previously assumed. However, according to reports, the 20-year-old will become an Atlanta United player in January.
Esteemed journalist Cesar Luis Merlo out of Argentina reported on Friday that the deal is all but wrapped up but due to paperwork issues, most notably Almada not being able to obtain a visa until September, it won’t be officially completed until the winter transfer window opens.
Se acordó la venta de Thiago Almada al Atlanta United pero se irá en enero.
*️⃣Vélez transfiere la totalidad del pase y los abogados de los clubes ya trabajan en los contratos.
*️⃣El jugador firmará hasta diciembre de 2025 con chances de extender por un año más. #TratoHecho pic.twitter.com/Oc0G1ZXTBb— César Luis Merlo (@CLMerlo) August 6, 2021
Merlo goes on to state that Almada will sign a contract with the Five Stripes through December 2025 with an option of some sort tacked onto the end. Previous reports suggest that Atlanta will shell out yet another hefty transfer fee of around $16 million for the young attacker.
Almada’s compatriot and current Atlanta United Designated Player Ezequiel Barco commented on his Argentina U-23 teammate’s potential move to the club during Friday’s media availability. Barco stated that Almada talked with him about the club while at the Olympics last month and that the Velez player was ready to make the move.
Barco said Thiago Almada asked him about #ATLUTD, the city, and what it was like. Told Barco the deal was almost complete but despite it not being able to go through, they expect Almada to arrive in January.
— Sydney Hunte (@SHWrites) August 6, 2021
All signs point to Almada officially becoming an Atlanta United in the upcoming offseason. Barring some unforeseen circumstance, that should come to pass. Now it’s just a matter of how the club will go about fitting him in to the already jam-packed roster.
For an in-depth scouting report on what type of player Atlanta could be getting next season, check out the great review from Total Football Analysis below.
Thiago Almada is yet another top South American talent heading to the #MLS, according to reports.
Read this scout report where @ascully24 analyses the Argentine attacker ahead of his move to #AtlantaUnited. https://t.co/TZgN1pSnVB
— Total Football Analysis (@TotalAnalysis) August 5, 2021
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