Carlos Bocanegra says Caleb Wiley’s move from Atlanta United to Chelsea is almost complete

Wiley will leave Atlanta United to join the U.S. Olympic team after Tuesday’s game. Men’s soccer competition at the Paris Games is scheduled to begin July 24, with the gold medal game scheduled for Aug. 9. The U.S. is scheduled to play France in Marseille on July 24, New Zealand in Marseille on July 27 and Guinea on July 30 in Saint-Etienne.

Bocanegra said it would be difficult to fill Wiley’s position because, as a homegrown player, his salary does not count toward Atlanta United’s salary budget.

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Wiley was one of several topics Bocanegra discussed in relation to the transfer window, which opens on July 18.

He said the report Tuesday linking Atlanta United to Atalanta’s Aleksey Miranchuk was one of many that could come out as other teams look to part ways with some of their players. Bocanegra said they are talking to 15 different players about a possible transfer.

“We’re going to hear from everyone we’ve talked to, or our cousin’s friend’s sister talked to, and they’ll be put in touch with us right away,” he said. “I hope we’ll have more concrete news around July 18.”

Atlanta United has already signed guard Pedro Amador and will try to sign two designated players to fill the roster spots left open by the sales of Thiago Almada for at least $21 million and Giorgos Giakoumakis for $10 million. Bocanegra said they have received several trade offers for other players and that the roster could continue to be reshaped. He said that aside from the two designated players and Wiley, they will have to trade or sell players to create space.

“There’s a lot of interest in our players,” he said. “We don’t necessarily want to dismantle the team at the moment. We have a few key players that we’d like to continue with. But it’s something we’re evaluating and sometimes you have to make tough choices.”

Bocanegra said Giakoumakis’ move was due to both an offer that was too good to refuse for the team and a contract that suited him. The club reportedly received $10 million from Cruz Azul, more than double what Atlanta United paid Celtic. Giakoumakis’ salary would have doubled from the $2.25 million he earned with Atlanta United. Bocanegra said the team was in contract negotiations with Giakoumakis before Cruz Azul’s offer.

Bocanegra said he understands the frustration some fans have expressed over the transfer of key players. He said the transfers do not reflect the team’s performance. Bocanegra said he hopes that during the MLS break that will be used to play in the Leagues Cup, the team will be at full strength and able to make a push in its final nine games. Atlanta United is in 10th place in the East, one spot below the nine teams that qualified for the playoffs.

“It’s tough for the players, it’s tough for the coaching staff, with the fans, it’s a little bit frustrating even on our side,” he said. “The reality is sometimes we can’t control the timing of these transfers, and our transfer window doesn’t open until July. So that’s one of the things that most clubs have to deal with, our transfer windows don’t match up with every other transfer window in the world. And so the timing doesn’t always match up perfectly.”

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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 New England 2, Atlanta United 1

July 6 Real Salt Lake 5, Atlanta United 2

July 9 vs. Indy Eleven in US Open Cup

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

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

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

July 26 vs. DC United in Leagues Cup, 7:30 p.m.

August 4 against Santos Laguna in Leagues 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 vs. Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.

October 19 in Orlando, 6 p.m.