Flamengo is increasingly close to making the signing of Argentine midfielder Thiago Almada official, a reinforcement that promises to impact the Rubro-Negro squad for the remainder of the season.
Flamengo‘s pursuit of Thiago Almada, a 2022 World Cup champion, has reached a decisive stage. With negotiations advanced with Atlético de Madrid (ESP), the Rio de Janeiro club awaits the player’s representative’s arrival in Rio de Janeiro on Friday night (24th) to finalize the last details of the operation.
The behind-the-scenes movement by Mais Querido aims to secure a significant signing, overcoming competition and consolidating the sporting project that attracted the 25-year-old midfielder.
Negotiation History and Palmeiras’ Interest
Thiago Almada‘s name is not new to Brazilian football. In January 2026, Palmeiras, under the management of Leila Pereira, attempted to facilitate the player’s move. At the time, the player declined the Alviverde’s bid, reiterating his desire to seek opportunities in European football with the Spanish club. Faced with the refusal, the São Paulo team redirected its efforts towards Colombian player Jhon Arias.
Details of the Rubro-Negro’s Bid
Unlike previous attempts, Flamengo‘s current negotiation has more concrete aspects. The Rio de Janeiro club surpassed River Plate‘s (ARG) bid and has aligned values around 30 million euros for half of the economic rights belonging to Atlético de Madrid – the other half of the player’s rights belongs to the company Eagle, which also has ties to Botafogo.
The in-person meeting between the player’s agent and football director José Boto will be crucial to define the final procedures, such as payment methods and deadlines.
Projections and Expectations
Although Thiago Almada has historically prioritized playing in Europe, the absence of official offers from clubs on the Old Continent has changed the scenario. The Rubro-Negro management expects the player to arrive in Rio de Janeiro to replicate the prominence of players like Arrascaeta, who also joined the club at a peak technical moment.
With the transfer market buzzing, Flamengo fans await the outcome of this operation, which promises to be one of the highlights of the Brazilian Serie A transfer window. The focus now is on speeding up contract signings and integrating the midfielder into Leonardo Jardim‘s squad as soon as possible.
