Contract until 2026
Major League Soccer side Atlanta United have reached a total agreement to sign 20-year-old Vélez Sarsfield star Thiago Almada. According to a tweet by César Luis Merlo, Atlanta will receive 100% of the player’s economic rights, and Almada will sign a deal until 2026. Transfermarkt understands that the fee is in the region of $15 million, plus add-ons, that could make him eventually the most expensive transfer in Atlanta United and MLS history.
Pity Martínez, Barco, Almirón & Co.: Atlanta United’s record transfer
Eric Remedi | Signed from CA Banfield in 2018 | Fee: $1.93m
© Atlanta United FC
Leandro González Pírez | Signed from Estudiantes in 2017 | Fee: $2m
© Inter Miami CF
Héctor Villalba | Signed from San Lorenzo in 2016 | Fee: $2.75m
© Atlanta United FC
Alan Franco | Signed from Independiente in 2021 | Fee: $2.8m
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Franco Ibarra | Signed from Argentinos Juniors in 2021 | Fee: $3m
© Atlanta United
Erik López | Signed from Olimpia in 2020 | Fee: $3.7m
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Josef Martínez | Signed from Torino in 2017 | Fee: $4.95m
© Atlanta United FC
Santiago Sosa | Signed from River Plate in 2021 | Fee: $5.45m
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Marcelino Moreno | Signed from Lanús in 2020 | Fee: $7m
© Atlanta United
Miguel Almirón | Signed from Lanús in 2017 | Fee: $8.25m
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Luiz Araújo | Signed from Lille in 2021 | Fee: $12m
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Ezequiel Barco | Signed from Independiente in 2018 | Fee: $13.5m
© Katie Gillen/Atlanta United
Pity Martínez | Signed from River Plate in 2019 | Fee: $15.95m
© Atlanta United FC
As reported in August by Transfermarkt, an agreement was reached ahead of the MLS Secondary Transfer Window deadline day. But the deal’s structure meant that a summer deal was impossible with both sides agreeing to complete the transfer in the winter—Atlanta United then opted to sign Luiz Araújo instead. Thiago Almada’s market value is $22 million, which, once completed, would make him the most valuable player in MLS.
The Thiago Almada deal, however, will lead to some significant restructuring at the Five Stripes. One player who could be moved this winter to make room under the salary cap is Ezequiel Barco. Barco cost €13.5 million when he was signed from Independiente in 2018. The 22-year-old has scored seven goals and five assists in 24 MLS games this season in what has been his best year at the club. That spike in production might have come just in time. Despite playing a decent campaign, Barco has been underwhelming in Atlanta overall.
Martínez, Dike, Barco & Co. – The 25 most valuable MLS players
25 Ayo Akinola | $5.5 million | Toronto FC
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24 Cole Bassett | $5.5 million | Colorado Rapids
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23 Efraín Álvarez | $5.5 million | Los Angeles Galaxy
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22 Gustavo Bou | $6.6 million | New England Revolution
© Matt Stith/MLS
21 Jonathan Osorio | $6.6 million | Toronto FC
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20 Mark-Anthony Kaye | $6.6 million | Colorado Rapids
© Devin L’Amoreaux and Jared Martinez/MLS
19 Hany Mukhtar | $6.6 million | Nashville SC
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18 Marcelino Moreno | $6.6 million | Atlanta United
© Atlanta United
17 Santiago Sosa | $6.6 million | Atlanta United
© Concacaf
16 Brian Rodríguez | $6.6 million | Los Angeles FC
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15 Victor Wanyama | $7.15 million | Montreal Impact
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14 Rodolfo Pizarro | $7.7 million | Inter Miami CF
© Xavier Dussaq/MLS
13 Tajon Buchanan | $7.7 million | New England Revolution
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12 Carlos Vela | $8.8 million | Los Angeles FC
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11 Raúl Ruidíaz | $8.8 million | Seattle Sounders
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10 Yeferson Soteldo | $8.8 million | Toronto FC
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9 Talles Magno | $8.8 million | New York City FC
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8 Alan Pulido | $9.9 million | Sporting Kansas City
© Sporting Kansas City
7 Brenner | $9.9 million | FC Cincinnati
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6 Alejandro Pozuelo | $11 million | Toronto FC
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5 Lucas Zelarayán | $11 million | Columbus Crew
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4 Emanuel Reynoso | $11 million | Minnesota United
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3 Ezequiel Barco | $11 million | Atlanta United
© Katie Gillen/Atlanta United
2 Daryl Dike | $11 million | Orlando City FC
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1 Josef Martínez | $13.75 million | Atlanta United
© Atlanta United Photos
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