Thiago Almada says Saturday’s home game could be his last with Atlanta United

“Scoring a goal at home in a win is a happy ending,” he said. “The only thing I didn’t do was win a title here. But I think it was a good game.”

Atlanta United and Eagle Soccer have been negotiating a possible transfer of the playmaker since Tuesday. Atlanta United wants around $30 million for the Argentine.

If Almada is sold, it is possible that he will be loaned to Botafogo and then sent to Lyon in France. Both clubs are owned by Eagle.

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

He said he felt he had developed as a player and as a person within the club.

“The culture at Atlanta United helped me a lot, and my teammates,” he said. “So I think it was a good step in my career. I got called up to the national team… and I went to the World Cup.”

Almada, 23, is the only active MLS player to be part of a World Cup-winning team when he was with Argentina in 2022 in Qatar.

Almada may not have been the only Atlanta United player in their final home game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Full-back Caleb Wiley is of interest to Chelsea, who would sign him and loan him to Strasbourg in France.

Wiley, 19, made his 75th appearance, including his 65th start, in Saturday’s win. Wiley, a local, said it was not his last home game.

“I’m obviously focused on the team right now and with the discussions I’m having with my parents and my agent, but obviously right now I’m just focused on the team,” he said.

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Atlanta United 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, St. Louis 1

June 29 Atlanta United 2, Toronto 1

July 3 in 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 Leagues 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 vs. Miami, 7:30 p.m.

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

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

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

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

October 19 in Orlando, 6 p.m.