Thiago Almada set for transfer before deadline amid Aston Villa links
Aston Villa were linked with a transfer for Argentina international and Atlanta United star Thiago Almada earlier in the window
Thiago Almada, the Argentinian playmaker who was linked with a move to Aston Villa earlier this summer transfer window, is the target of Dutch giants Ajax before the transfer deadline at the end of the week.
Almada, 22, plays for MLS outfit Atlanta United and has excelled since making the move to the US from Velez Sarsfield in February of last year. Almada, who cost $16m, has 17 goals and 19 assists in 56 appearances for Atlanta since joining the club last winter and it’s likely that his sale – were it to materialise – would set Ajax back around £23million.
Almada has reportedly been identified as a replacement for the outgoing Mohammed Kudus, who has just left the Amsterdam club for West Ham in a deal worth in the region of £38m. Villa were linked with a move for the Argentina international – who won a World Cup winners’ medal in the winter and who has since scored his first goal for his country this year – in July, prior to moving for Nicolo Zaniolo, who they signed on loan.
Almada himself recently admitted that he’d not rule out the prospect of leaving Atlanta if the right opportunity arose. “Right now I am focused on Atlanta United, but when an offer is presented I will talk to my family and decide what is best for me in that situation,” he told to 90min.
Atlanta United’s vice president, Carlos Bocanegra, said earlier this year of the interest in the player: “Thiago has been good. You guys can imagine the interest that he gets as well, the spotlight that’s around him, and you guys see his quality on the field. So it’s not going to be anything new.
“We’ve dealt with this situation fortunately at the club beforehand, but ultimately it’ll be collaborative with the kid, with the club. Does it make sense for all parties? When does that time come? So that’s how we’re addressing it. We’d love to win a championship this year and we really want Thiago to be a part of that.”
