Almada set for Flamengo move as Atletico Madrid near €27m agreement

Argentina midfielder Thiago Almada is close to leaving Atletico Madrid for Flamengo, with the Brazilian club in advanced talks over a deal worth around €27m (£22.8m).

Flamengo have reached an agreement with Almada on personal terms after receiving permission from Atletico Madrid to negotiate with the player’s representatives, according to Spanish outlet AS.

Atletico are understood to be seeking a total package in the region of €27m (€30m), and sources cited by AS suggest the final fee is expected to be close to that figure. The only element still to be finalised is the payment structure, which is not thought to be a major obstacle.

Atletico ready to cash in after underwhelming first season

Almada joined Atletico Madrid a year ago following an impressive campaign with Lyon. The Spanish side paid €20m to acquire 50% of his rights.

However, the 23-year-old did not hit the level the club had anticipated in his first season in La Liga, prompting Atletico to look for a way out for the player even before the start of the World Cup, in an effort to prevent his market value from dropping further.

In that context, club executive Mateu Alemany set Almada’s exit price at the same figure Atletico had paid to sign him. Flamengo, who enjoy a strong institutional relationship with Atletico Madrid, have since shown a willingness to increase their offer to secure the deal.

The negotiations have now moved towards a total package close to €27m, aligning with Atletico’s expectations and giving the Spanish club a significant profit on their initial outlay for half of the player’s rights.

Flamengo step up squad rebuild

Flamengo are determined to return to competing for all major trophies and are prepared to make substantial investments again in this transfer window.

Following what has been described as the “historic” return of Lucas Paqueta at the start of the year, the Rio de Janeiro club have now turned their focus to Almada, who is set to sign a long-term, four-year contract running until 2030.

Brazilian journalist Raisa Simplicio reports that Almada’s representatives are due to travel to Rio de Janeiro at the end of this week to put the finishing touches on the agreement. Their visit is expected to finalise what has been described as the last major request of head coach Leonardo Jardim for this window.

If completed as anticipated, Almada’s move would see one of Argentina’s highly regarded midfield talents swap La Liga for the Brazilian top flight after just a single season in Spain, as Flamengo continue an ambitious squad refresh aimed at reclaiming domestic and continental silverware.