Atletico Madrid agree deal to sign Thiago Almada | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid have reached an agreement to sign Thiago Almada, according to Fabrizio Romano.

After weeks of negotiations, Atletico will pay approximately €40 million for Almada, purchasing around 50% of his economic rights for roughly €20 million initially, with further payments to follow.

The 24-year-old spent the latter half of the 2024-25 campaign on loan at Olympique Lyon, who were keen to sign him permanently but are currently handicapped financially.

Benfica and Zenit St. Petersburg also held an interest in signing Almada, but his desire to play under compatriot Diego Simeone was a decisive factor in his preference for Atletico.

The Argentine also shares an agent with Angel Correa, which is believed to have facilitated his move to the Wanda Metropolitano.

Almada arrives in Madrid as a dynamic playmaker capable of operating centrally or out wide and is seen by club director Carlos Bucero as a strong financial investment for the future.

He is already a seasoned international with 10 caps and four goals for Argentina and his presence will complement Atletico’s existing South American contingent of Nahuel Molina, Giuliano Simeone and Julian Alvarez.

His flair and attacking instinct are expected to add a new dimension to Los Colchoneros’ offence, especially with Antoine Griezmann entering the twilight of his career.

Joining Alejandro Baena and Matteo Ruggeri, Almada is set to be Atletico’s third signing of the summer window but the La Liga outfit far from done.

They are keen to sign Cristian Romero from Tottenham Hotspur, although no concrete approach has been made.