Flamengo make new move for Almada as talks progress | OneFootball

Flamengo have entered the race to sign Thiago Almada, opening talks in recent days and making progress towards an agreement with the Atlético Madrid attacker. The player also has an offer from River Plate.

Coluna do Fla first reported that River are not seen as a major obstacle for Flamengo in this race. As it stands, the only formal bid lodged with Atlético Madrid is from the Buenos Aires club.

Flamengo first made contact in June but Almada rejected the idea, saying he wanted to remain in Europe. With no proposals materialising there, he has opened the door to a return to Brazilian football. A decision will only be taken after the World Cup, and any European offers will be prioritised.

River have offered €20m, R$ 117m, for 50% of Almada’s economic rights. The club are struggling to provide guarantees to a US bank that helped finance Atlético’s €30m, R$ 194m, purchase including targets and performance bonuses.

Flamengo can pay in fewer instalments and meet the requested guarantees, and the paperwork is not seen as the main hurdle. The Rio club left recent talks confident. Almada’s preference is likely to weigh heavily on the outcome.

Almada has not established himself at Atlético Madrid. Last season he scored four goals and supplied two assists in 40 appearances, 18 of them starts.

Source: Globo.com