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)