Almada set for Flamengo switch as Argentine midfielder nears Atletico Madrid exit

Argentine midfielder Thiago Almada is close to leaving Atletico Madrid for Flamengo, with the Brazilian club in advanced talks over a deal worth around €27m.

Flamengo have reached an agreement with Almada on personal terms after Atletico granted permission for negotiations with the player’s representatives, according to Spanish outlet AS. The two clubs are now working to finalise the structure of the payment, which is not expected to block the transfer.

Atletico, who signed Almada a year ago on the back of an impressive season with Lyon, are understood to be seeking a total package of €27m (approximately $30m). The Spanish side initially paid €20m for 50% of the player’s rights when bringing him to La Liga.

However, Almada’s first campaign in Madrid did not live up to expectations, prompting Atletico to explore exit options even before the start of the World Cup in a bid to protect his market value. Club figure Mateo Alemany subsequently set an asking price in line with the fee Atletico had originally paid.

Flamengo push to raise offer

Flamengo, who enjoy a strong relationship with Atletico Madrid, are reported to be willing to increase their proposal to meet the Spanish club’s demands. Sources cited by AS indicate that the final agreement is likely to be close to Atletico’s valuation, with only the payment mechanism still to be defined.

The Brazilian giants are determined to build a squad capable of challenging for every major trophy again and are ready to spend significantly in the current transfer window to achieve that objective.

Long-term deal to 2030

Almada is expected to sign a four-year contract running until 2030 once the remaining details are resolved. The move would follow what is described as the “historic” return of Lucas Paqueta to Flamengo earlier this year, with the Rio de Janeiro club now turning their focus to securing Almada as another marquee addition.

Journalist Raisa Simplicio reports that the player’s representatives are due to travel to Rio de Janeiro at the end of this week to put the finishing touches on the transfer. That visit is aimed at completing what is said to be the final outstanding wish of head coach Leonardo Jardim for this window.

With personal terms agreed and only the formalities of the deal still under discussion between the clubs, Almada’s departure from La Liga for Brazilian football is edging closer to completion.