Report: Atlanta United submits formal bid for Argentine playmaker Thiago Almada

Atlanta United has formally submitted a transfer bid to Velez Sarsfield for attacking midfielder Thiago Almada, according to multiple reports from South American based journalists.

The reports state that Atlanta is submitting a bid for 100 percent of the player’s future value,— somewhat of a rarity with these kinds of deals but similar to the agreement Atlanta had with Velez for Lautaro Giannetti this winter. (The deal eventually broke down with Giannetti failed his medical examination in Atlanta).

Cesar Luis Merlo reported the deal is close, and that Atlanta would sign Almada on a four year contract.

Almada is one of the most sought-after prospects in Argentina. The Argentine playmaker looked likely to join Olympique Marseille earlier this spring as multiple outlets reported that he’d join the French club on a deal worth a reported 12-15 million Euros. But by June, Marseille President Pablo Longoria admitted the deal had fallen through as the transfer was too expensive for the club. Marseille is managed by Argentine Jorge Sampaoli, who reportedly had Almada on the top of his wish list.

Dirty South Soccer profiled Almada last month. He is currently participating with Ezequiel Barco for Argentina at the 2020 Olympics, though he did not play in the team’s first game.