Thiago Almada is not likely to stay at Atlético de Madrid following a difficult debut season under Diego Simeone’s orders. Despite the Argentina attacking midfielder’s obvious talent and ability on the ball, Almada never really got back into the coach’s plans after a muscle injury in September knocked him out of Atlético’s starting lineup. Almada — who has been touted as Lionel Messi’s replacement in the national team — struggled for consistency for much of the season and struggled to adapt to the physical
demands of elite European football.
And so, Almada is set to leave again, less than a year after he moved to Madrid in a €21 million transfer (for 50 percent of his federative rights) from the holdings of Eagle Football Group. After Brazilian side Palmeiras made an effort to sign Almada in January, ElDesmarque on Sunday reported that River Plate are highly interested in signing the 25-year-old, and the Argentine giants are working to trim payroll in order to complete a transfer for him “as soon as possible.”
Almada’s agent Agustin Jiménez reportedly has met with River Plate’s front office duo of Enzo Francescoli and Pablo Longoria to discuss the player’s future. River recently signed Nicolás Otamendi on a free transfer, enticing the 2022 FIFA World Cup champion back home to Argentina, and the four-time Copa Libertadores winners are hoping to lure Almada back home before a good display at this year’s World Cup might price them out of a move.
Almada “hasn’t closed the door” on returning to Argentine football, according to Lucas Gatti’s report. Atlético’s asking price for half of the player’s rights is €17 million, a figure that would represent River’s largest-ever incoming transfer.
Almada scored three goals and provided one assists across 27 appearances (16 starts) in LaLiga, while he added one goal and one assist during Atlético’s run to the Copa del Rey final; he set up national teammate Julián Alvarez for his equalizer in the eventual penalty shootout loss to Real Sociedad last month.
Argentina are heavily favored to win Group J at the World Cup, where a strong showing from Almada could see him continue in Europe. Whether Almada stays on the continent or returns to South America, the arrow is very much pointing toward a departure amid a frustrating season at Atlético. Signing for River Plate would allow Atleti to make most of its money back from a failed signing, whereas Almada would receive a hero’s welcome back in Buenos Aires.
