The World Cup winner has long-standing transfer interest from Europe but has now revealed that he would consider a return to Argentina.
William GittinsWillGittUpdate: Jun 17th, 2024 12:49 EDT0
Dale ZanineUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
Atlanta United midfielder Thiago Almada has hinted that a move back to Argentina may be close during an interview on Monday. The 23-year-old revealed that he had spoken to Boca Junior legend Juan Roman Riquelme and admitted that he would be interested in a move away from MLS.
“Yesterday Riquelme called me. It was a pleasant call. We spoke a little bit about everything. If there is a formal offer I’ll speak about it with my family,” Almada said.
Thiago Almada: “Ayer me llamó Riquelme. Fue una linda llamada. Hablamos de todo un poco. Si hay oferta formal veré y lo hablaré con mi familia”. pic.twitter.com/DRKlfFLi7L
— Gastón Edul (@gastonedul) June 17, 2024
Riquelme is currently the president of Boca Juniors, the club where he spent 13 years of his illustrious career. His role in the move could be a major factor for Almada but the young midfielder will not be allowed to leave Atlanta on the cheap. Almada joined from Argentinian side Vélez Sarsfield for $14.6 million, a fee that remains the largest incoming MLS deal. If he is allowed to leave Atlanta will probably demand a fee that eclipses the $24 million they received for Miguel Almirón, the league’s outgoing transfer record.
Tough times for Atlanta and Almada
Atlanta United ended last year with a real sense of optimism for the future. They had made it to the post-season, where they were eliminated by eventual MLS Cup winners Columbus Crew. Atlanta had finished the regular season campaign with 66 goals, second only to Columbus, and boasted some of the league’s top attacking players.
But now, just seven months on, everything has fallen apart. With the team mired at the wrong end of the Eastern Conference table head coach Gonzalo Pineda was dismissed last month. Designated Player striker Georgios Giakoumakis has failed to recreate his 2023 form and was sold to Cruz Azul last week.
