Luiz Araújo Joins Flamengo: What’s Next for Atlanta United?
It was a whirlwind transfer for Luiz Araújo, who went from being a mere rumor to a signed contract with Brazilian club Flamengo in just a matter of hours. Atlanta United will receive a considerable amount of €9 million for the winger, marking significant profit for the club who bought Araújo for €11.5 million just months ago. Although the winger scored goals for the MLS team, his market value had dropped from €10m to €6m during his tenure with the team.
The departure of Araújo leaves Atlanta United with a spot for an extra Designated Player slot. With the summer transfer window looming, the team can focus on the retooling process and build the team according to their vision. However, they will have to do it in the middle of an ongoing MLS season, which could upset the team’s momentum.
Another challenge for Atlanta United is the potential transfer of Thiago Almada for around €40m. The midfield maestro has been heavily linked with a move to Napoli, and should this push through, it will leave a significant gap in the team. Atlanta United has been in dire need of a dynamic player, and Almada was their go-to midfielder. The question is, will they invest the €40m earned from the Almada transfer towards acquiring a solid midfielder?
Atlanta United‘s technical director, Carlos Bocanegra, has assured fans that the team is “actively seeking reinforcements in the Summer Transfer Window.” While the team did not explicitly state what players they would be targeting, finding a dynamic player to fill the void left by Almada and Araújo is imperative.
The recent MLS salary update revealed that Araújo was the eighth highest-paid player in the league with $4,483,333 in guaranteed compensation. It opens new opportunities for the team to distribute Almada’s potential transfer fee and secure players who can deliver the results they need.
Overall, Atlanta United‘s retooling process will be crucial in the second half of this MLS season. The team needs to acquire dynamic players who can complement each other and fill the void left by the departing players. The team can certainly use the additional resources they earned from recent transfers, and Atlanta United fans are eagerly awaiting the team’s next move.
