Will Saturday be Thiago Almada’s last home game against Atlanta United?

Textor, who said he was in London, said he did not yet know what the terms of the deal would be, which also refuted the reported $20 million fee.

“I haven’t made an offer yet,” Textor said. “We like the player. We had a great time talking with his family. We do it the right way. I have a good relationship with Atlanta United management. We wouldn’t enter through the back door. We entered through the front door. I plan to send them the offer directly this morning and call their CEO. This is where we are.

A person with knowledge of the situation but not authorized to speak to reporters said an offer had been received. The club declined to comment on offers received for players, citing its policy.

Almada, 23, has repeatedly said his goal is to play for a European club. He has also repeatedly said that he is happy at Atlanta United. He is considered one of the brightest talents in MLS, with 22 goals and 33 assists in 76 appearances. He finished in the top three in MLS MVP voting for the 2023 season and was the first active player to appear on a World Cup winning roster when Argentina won the title in 2022.

Atlanta United purchased Almada from Velez Sarsfield in Argentina ahead of the 2022 season for $16 million.

Almada is expected to be selected to play for Argentina at the Olympics. Men’s soccer at the Paris Games is scheduled to begin on July 24 and the gold medal match is scheduled to be played on August 9. A good performance could drive up his transfer fee, should Atlanta United choose to wait. Almada is under contract with Atlanta United through the 2026 season.

After Saturday’s match against Toronto, Atlanta United will not play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium again until July 17, when the team hosts NYCFC.

If Almada is sold, he will become the third player sold for more than $15 million by the club. Miguel Almiron was sold to Newcastle before the 2019 season for a reported $27 million. Pity Martinez was sold by the club to a club in Saudi Arabia during the 2020 season for a reported $18 million.

If the objective of buying, developing and selling worked in these situations, it did not work for the club with Ezequiel Barco, Santiago Sosa and Franco Ibarra, among others.

Selling Almada would also put Atlanta United on the brink of a rebuild following the sale of forward Giorgos Giakoumakis to Cruz Azul for $10 million two weeks ago.

Giakoumakis and Almada are two of three designated players allowed under MLS rules. Stian Gregersen is the third. Lagerwey said the club wanted to sign a new striker during the upcoming summer window. The same would likely be true if the club sold Almada.

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Atlanta United’s 2024 schedule

February 24 Columbus 1, Atlanta United 0

March 9 Atlanta United 4, New England 1

March 17 Atlanta United 2, Orlando 0

March 23 Toronto 2, Atlanta United 0

March 31 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 0

April 6 Atlanta United 1, NYCFC 1

April 14 Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 2

April 20 Cincinnati 2, Atlanta United 1

April 27 Atlanta United 1, Chicago 1

May 4 Minnesota 2, Atlanta United 1

May 7 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte Independence 0 in US Open Cup

May 11 DC United 3, Atlanta United 2

May 15 Cincinnati 1, Atlanta United 0

May 18 Atlanta United 1, Nashville 1

May 21 Atlanta United 0 (5), Charleston 0 (4) in US Open Cup

May 25 LAFC 1, Atlanta United 0

May 29 Atlanta United 3, Miami 1

June 2 Charlotte 3, Atlanta United 2

June 15 Atlanta United 2, Houston 2

June 19 Atlanta United 1, DC United 0

June 22 Atlanta United 1, Saint-Louis 1

June 29 c. Toronto, 7:30 p.m.

July 3 at New England, 7:30 p.m.

July 6 at Real Salt Lake, 9:30 p.m.

July 9 against Indy Eleven in the US Open Cup

July 13 in Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

July 17 vs. NYCFC, 7:30 p.m.

July 20 against Columbus, 7:30 p.m.

July 26 against DC United in the League Cup, 7:30 p.m.

August 4 against Santos Laguna in the League Cup, 4 p.m.

August 24 at LA Galaxy, 10:30 p.m.

August 31 in Charlotte, 7:30 p.m.

September 14 vs. Nashville, 7:30 p.m.

September 18 against Miami, 7:30 p.m.

September 21 at the Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

September 28 in Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.

October 2 c. Montreal, 7:30 p.m.

October 5 against Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

October 19 in Orlando, 6 p.m.