The Eagle Football group is making a $20 million offer for Atlanta United’s Thiago Almada

Atlanta United is in advanced talks with Eagle Football Holdings to sell midfielder Thiago Almada, according to people familiar with the talks.

Eagle Football is owned by American John Textor and has interests in Brazil’s Botafogo, Ligue 1’s Olympique Lyon, Belgium’s RWD Molenbeek and Premier League club Crystal Palace.

Argentinian reporter Cesar Merlo first reported that Atlanta United were evaluating a $20 million (£15.8 million) bid for playmaker Almada.

If Atlanta accepts the offer, it is likely that Almada will first join Botafogo before moving to one of Eagle Football’s European sides. Atlanta United declined to comment.

A person familiar with the negotiations said The Athletics that Almada is not yet convinced of a possible move to Brazil. He has remained adamant that playing in Europe is his ultimate goal. Last week he told TyC Sports in Argentina that he is enjoying his time in Atlanta, but “I have a desire to play in Europe in the top leagues.”

The 23-year-old Almada was signed by Argentina’s Velez Sarsfield for $16 million in 2022 and was under contract with Atlanta United until December 2026.

He was an MVP candidate last season after scoring 11 goals and adding 19 assists. Atlanta United CEO Garth Lagerwey said at the time that Almada “deserved” a record transfer. The current MLS record is Atlanta United’s deal that sent Miguel Almiron to Newcastle United for $27 million in 2019.

“I have no control over what other teams offer us, but do I think he deserves a record transfer? I do that,” said Lagerwey The Athletics last September. “I think there are objective numbers that support that.”

Almada joined Atlanta in 2022 (Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

However, since then Almada has not performed at the same level. His decline in form has coincided with Atlanta United’s current season problems. Almada scored five goals and provided two assists in sixteen games. The 2018 MLS Cup champions fired head coach Gonzalo Pineda on June 3 following the club’s fifth straight defeat at home to Charlotte FC. Since then they have drawn twice and won once and are now in ninth place in the Eastern Conference.

Almada is no longer a shoe-in to break the MLS outgoing transfer record, but a strong performance at the Summer Olympics in Paris could potentially increase his value. Almada captained Argentina’s U-23s during Olympic qualifying and will play a key role in Javier Mascherano’s side.

However, it would be a gamble for Atlanta United to place all their chips on Almada who starred at the Olympic tournament. The pressure on the player to prove to European scouts that he is a worthwhile investment will also be significant.

There’s also a notable time constraint on Atlanta United’s front office: The Olympics start on July 26 and end on August 11, while the MLS summer transfer window closes just three days later. Atlanta United would have to receive and accept a transfer for Almada and sign a replacement within that time frame.

Almada’s player profile is another obstacle. He is very talented with a fast pace and impressive dribbling ability; a player who can hit the ball with accuracy, both off the dribble and from a set piece. But his slight build has raised questions about whether or not he can play in some of Europe’s more physical competitions. For example, if the Premier League and Bundesliga are not viable options, then the number of teams that can pay more than $25 million for Almada is much more limited.

(Top photo: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)