Almada says yes to Flamengo! Rubro-Negro negotiates transfer and eyes a multi-million dollar investment.
The hearts of Flamengo supporters are racing! Thiago Almada has given his approval to wear the Flamengo jersey, a “yes” that ignites hope for marquee signings at Gávea. Now, the club is moving into the crucial phase: working out the details of the deal with Atletico de Madrid, who hold the rights to the Argentine midfielder. Internally, optimism is high, and talks are progressing with strong prospects of finalizing this high-caliber signing.
The Road to Rio de Janeiro
Almada‘s path in European football took an unexpected turn. Initially, the midfielder’s desire was to remain on the continent, with expectations of increased value following his participation in the World Cup for Argentina. However, the lack of concrete offers that met his expectations opened the door for Flamengo‘s interest. A bid from River Plate also emerged, appealing to the player’s sentiments. Nevertheless, the professional and financial arguments presented by his agents—highlighting the opportunity in Brazilian football and a return to Rio de Janeiro, where he already excelled in 2024 with major titles—were the deciding factors.
Multi-Million Investment and Game Plan
Flamengo is preparing to make Almada its primary investment in the transfer market. The board is reportedly willing to pay around 30 million euros, approximately 173 million Brazilian Reais, a figure that satisfies the Spanish club. The current point of negotiation lies in the payment terms, such as the number of installments and deadlines. The club’s reputation as a reliable payer, highlighted by the signing of Samuel Lino, works in their favor. The expectation is that Almada will either take over Arrascaeta‘s role or play alongside the Uruguayan, adding more creativity and firepower to the midfield. The search for a center-forward and a winger remains on the radar, as well as the young defensive midfielder Zé Lucas, from Sport, for the U-20 team.
