Flamengo target Thiago Almada agrees big-money deal with Argentine side | OneFootball

River Plate (ARG) has reached a verbal agreement with Atlético de Madrid (ESP) for Thiago Almada, according to ‘Olé’

Flamengo is closely watching the market in search of reinforcements for the rest of the season. However, it is seeing target Thiago Almada move closer to an agreement with River Plate, from Argentina.

According to Argentine newspaper ‘Olé’, the Buenos Aires club has reached a verbal agreement with Atlético de Madrid (ESP) to buy 50% of the midfielder’s economic rights for 20 million euros. In other words, approximately R$ 127 million.

The deal’s completion, however, still depends on the player’s final approval. Almada, in turn, intends to decide his professional future only after Argentina’s participation in the World Cup ends.

WHAT IS RIVER PLATE’S STRATEGY?

Still according to ‘Olé’, River Plate’s board has been working on signing Almada since before the start of the World Cup and intensified negotiations over the last few weeks. The midfielder, who won the Brasileirão and the Libertadores in 2024 with Botafogo, is looking to regain his place in football after getting few minutes under Diego Simeone at Atlético de Madrid.

Behind the scenes, the Argentine side is optimistic, as it received positive signals from the player’s camp during meetings held before the World Cup. The salary offer presented exceeds the amount Almada currently earns at the Spanish club, where he is under contract until June 2030.

The significant progress in talks has led River to slow down negotiations for other names on the club’s radar, such as Ángel Correa and Giovanni Simeone. In the 2025/2026 season, the player experienced an inconsistent routine at Atlético de Madrid.

Overall, Thiago Almada played 40 matches for the Spanish side, starting 18 of them. The midfielder contributed four goals and four assists during that period. At the moment, the player is competing in the World Cup with the Argentine national team. He has taken the field five times and will be available this Tuesday, July seventh, when Argentina faces Egypt in the round of 16 of the international tournament.

IS ALMADA CONSIDERING A RETURN TO SOUTH AMERICAN FOOTBALL?

After playing for Botafogo in 2024, the Argentine midfielder initially showed a desire to establish his career in European football. Because of that persistent focus on the ‘Old Continent,’ Flamengo’s board encountered major obstacles in making effective progress in the negotiations.

WHAT IS FLAMENGO’S PRIORITY IN THE MARKET?

While the Almada deal loses momentum, Flamengo is focusing its efforts on other urgent squad needs. The football department has set two main priorities for this transfer window: signing a center forward to serve as Pedro’s immediate backup and finding a midfielder capable of replacing Arrascaeta.

As for left back, the club does not treat the position as an absolute priority at the moment. Even so, constant market monitoring continues, and making a formal offer is not ruled out should a favorable business opportunity arise.

WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S OPINION?

“Thiago Almada is the kind of player who can raise the technical level of any squad. His ability to dictate the tempo in midfield and his intelligence in finding spaces between opposing defensive lines are rare qualities.

However, Flamengo needs players who understand the pressure of wearing the red-and-black shirt and who show total commitment to the sporting project, without hesitation. If the player’s mind is already in Buenos Aires, insisting would be a mistake. Football demands hunger and, if that ‘flame doesn’t burn’ for the club, it is better to focus on names who see Rio de Janeiro as a unique opportunity for their careers”, says Mônica Alves, journalist for Coluna do Fla.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.