Atlanta, GA

Ajax interested in Thiago Almada, sources say, but timing is difficult for Atlanta

Published

1 year ago

August 25, 2023

Ajax interested in Thiago Almada, sources say, but timing is difficult for Atlanta

With just a week left in the European transfer window, Ajax has emerged as a suitor for Argentina international and Atlanta United attacking midfielder Thiago Almada, sources briefed on the situation tell The Athletic. But with the MLS window already shut, Atlanta is in an especially difficult position to sell, as they look to secure a playoff spot.

There have been informal talks between Ajax and Atlanta intermediaries, but no official bids yet. Almada would likely be seen as a replacement for Ghana international Mohammed Kudus, who is nearing a transfer to West Ham United.

Atlanta has insisted all summer that they have little interest in dealing Almada at this time, making a potential deal difficult, particularly at the numbers being published in Europe.

Reports in the Netherlands suggesting a fee around €15 million ($16.2m) could get a deal done are severely wide of the mark, per sources briefed on the situation. Atlanta signed Almada from Velez Sarsfield for a league-record incoming transfer fee north of $16 million. Almada has since become a star in MLS and a World Cup champion with Argentina; they are in no position to sell for cheap. The possibility they would even pick up the phone — let alone agree to a deal — at that figure is nonexistent.

Atlanta is more than likely to require a figure above the current MLS record outbound transfer of $27 million, set by Atlanta’s deal to send Miguel Almiron to Newcastle. Even that may not be enough at this stage. The MLS summer transfer window closed on Aug. 2, so the club could only sign free agents if they wanted to replace their No. 10 this season, as they currently sit seventh in the Eastern Conference and very much in playoff contention.

Atlanta made a few key summer transfer window acquisitions to improve their squad for the stretch run, headlined by defensive midfielder Tristan Muyumba and winger Saba Lobzhanidze.

It’s a difficult spot MLS clubs have had to contend with. The New England Revolution were also insistent they wouldn’t entertain offers for goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, until Chelsea came in with a bid they couldn’t refuse.

If Ajax, or a Premier League club, bids $30 million or more, it’ll be difficult for Atlanta to reject. The player could well push for it to be accepted, like Petrovic did with New England, and, if denied at all costs, this scenario could upset the locker room and potentially result in diminished performances from the player.

Almada is integral to any chances Atlanta has of a strong finish to the season. The 22-year-old has eight goals and 10 assists across 22 regular season appearances this season. He is among the best players in the league, and a heliocentric talent driving the Atlanta attack. Without him — or the chance to properly replace him — it all but tanks the rest of Atlanta’s season.

It’s a similar spot for star forward Giorgios Giakoumakis, who The Athletic reported this week is a target for a Spanish club. Giakoumakis is another player who Atlanta has zero interest in giving up right now, and they have an even stronger position to negotiate, given he only joined the club earlier this year.

The Greek international has been a rousing success thus far. He is happy at the club since joining from Celtic for a fee north of $4 million. The 28-year-old striker scored his 10th league goal in Atlanta’s 2-0 win over Seattle on Sunday night. He has played 978 minutes.

Atlanta have another week to contend with as they aim to keep hold of their two best players.

(Photo: Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

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Atlanta, GA

Interview with the Enemy: Atlanta Falcons

Published

7 hours ago

September 27, 2024

Press Room

Interview with the Enemy: Atlanta Falcons

This week, the New Orleans Saints head into enemy territory as they face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 of the 2024 regular season. Tre’Shon Diaz of The Falcoholic joins us to preview Sunday’s showdown between one of the league’s most heated division rivalries.

NJ: In your opinion, how has QB Kirk Cousins looked in his return from season-ending Achilles surgery? Does he seem capable of leading Atlanta to the promised land? If not, how soon should first-round NFL Draft pick Michael Penix Jr. take over as the team’s starting QB?

TD: I expected Cousins to have a slower start after coming off the significant injury, and that’s what we’ve seen. Each week, he’s knocked a layer of rust off, and most of it has appeared to be mental, not physical. People attributed his Week 1 shakiness to health, but the real issue was TJ Watt being in his lap the entire game.

At this point, he has taken care of it. Cousins has enough left in the tank to get this roster to the playoffs, so I won’t anticipate seeing Penix until 2025 or 2026.

NJ: With Atlanta set to be missing two starters on the offensive line—RT Kaleb McGary (sprained MCL, day-to-day) and C Drew Dalman (high ankle sprain, IR)—are you concerned about the Falcons’ ability to contain the Saints’ revitalized pass rush? New Orleans is currently tied for fourth in the league with 11 team sacks.

TD: There’s still a chance McGary plays this Sunday, but regardless of health, I would still be concerned. The defense has had an abundance of opportunities to rush the passer due to the position their opponents have been in, and they’ve been capitalizing on them. Ryan Neuzil filled in for Dalmn last year and did well until running into the Saints. Storm Norton also filled in for Kaleb McGary in 2023 and clamped rookie sensation Will Anderson, but he was up and down in his other outings.

Last week, the line adjusted well by the fourth quarter, and I think with a week of preparation, they’ll be able to devise a game-plan to protect Cousins.

NJ: Atlanta is 6 of 27 on third down conversions to open the season. What do you believe is the cause of this—coaching or execution? Do you think things will change against New Orleans?

TD: It’s a combination of both. There have been drops and other execution errors for plays that had potential. New offensive coordinator Zac Robinson has also put the team in bad positions. With only a three-game sample size, I’m not panicking yet, but there is a healthy level of concern.

Things have to change against the Saints, and Robinson has shown the ability to adjust and has improved week to week as a play-caller. However, there will still be growing pains with the rookie coordinator.

NJ: It’s clear that many fans are still upset about New Orleans failing to land All-Pro safety Justin Simmons, especially after Philadelphia Eagles TE Dallas Goedert recorded 170 receiving yards on 10 receptions against the Saints on Sunday. With that being said, has the superstar tandem of Simmons and Jessie Bates III been as lethal as advertised for the Falcons secondary?

TD: Per PFF, in 101 coverage snaps this season, Simmons has 16 yards allowed, one interception, and one forced incompletion while allowing a 6.3 passer rating when targeted. Jessie Bates was the NFC Player of the Week after his performance against the Philadelphia Eagles, which included a game-winning interception.

The duo has been everything the team has hoped for. They’ve allowed defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake and head coach Raheem Morris to bring over their zone-heavy scheme from Los Angeles. The duo has also helped cover up a subpar pass rush through coverage sacks.

NJ: According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Falcons (-120) are currently 1.5-point favorites over the Saints (+102) in Sunday’s matchup; who do you think will come out on top, and what is your final score prediction?

TD: Derek Carr will have a long day trying to push the ball down the field with Justin Simmons and Jessie Bates looming in the secondary; we may even see another pick-six. I think Bijan Robinson will continue his dominance in this series, and Atlanta will win 21-17.

Thank you again to Tre’Shon Diaz for joining us this week! You can check out the rest of his work here.

Make sure you follow Canal Street Chronicles on Twitter at @SaintsCSC, “Like” us on Facebook at Canal Street Chronicles, and make sure you’re subscribed to our YouTube channel

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Atlanta, GA

Hurricane Helene: Boat rescues underway at flooded Atlanta apartment complex

Published

15 hours ago

September 27, 2024

Press Room

Hurricane Helene: Boat rescues underway at flooded Atlanta apartment complex

A boat rescue is underway for residents of a flooded Atlanta apartment complex.

The Peachtree Park Apartments on Peachtree Park Drive are feeling the impacts of Hurricane Helene as it comes through Georgia.

Heavy rain ahead of Helene’s full arrival in the metro area led to the apartment complex seeing lots of water, leading to the need for an evacuation.

A Channel 2 Action News photographer was at the scene, where first responders were using boats to help residents leave the apartment complex.

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Details on the exact number of people impacted were not immediately available.

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm on Thursday evening and early Friday was downgraded to a Category 1 storm.

However, rain is still coming in and wind speeds are still reported at about 90 miles per hour, meaning the storm will still likely impact the area as it moves through.

Channel 2 Action News is working to get more details about the rescue underway.

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