Atlanta United’s Thiago Almada said on Saturday he hasn’t told the MLS club that he wants to leave in the winter transfer window, refuting several reports from the past week.
Almada had a goal and two assists, increasing his totals to nine and 13, in Saturday’s 4-0 win against Nashville at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Almada, 22 years old, has 15 goals and 25 assists in 52 appearances. He is expected to be transferred, whenever that may be, for at least $30 million.
“The only thing that I’ve said is if there is a good offer that I’ll consider it and speak it over with my family but at the moment I’m very happy here,” he said. “This is a big club. You know I’m happy where I’m at but if there is an offer, you know I’ll consider it when the time comes.”
Almada said having Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets playing in MLS doesn’t affect his hope to one day play in Europe.
“I think Messi, Busquets, Alba, those guys add a great level of quality to the league,” he said. “But I’ve always had the desire to try and play at the highest level.”
A report on Friday had Almada having already agreed to personal terms with Ajax in Holland. The report had Ajax offering $15 million. It followed one from another outlet from earlier in the week saying that Almada had told Atlanta United that he wants to be transferred.
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Atlanta United’s 2023 MLS schedule
Feb. 25 Atlanta United 2, San Jose Earthquakes 1
March 4 Atlanta United 1, Toronto FC 1
March 11 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte FC 0
March 18 Atlanta United 5, Portland 1
March 25 Columbus 6, Atlanta United 1
April 1 Atlanta United 1, New York Red Bulls 0
April 8 Atlanta United 1, New York City FC 1
April 15 Atlanta United 2, Toronto FC 2
April 23 Atlanta United 2, Chicago 1
April 29 Nashville SC 3, Atlanta United 1
May 6 Inter Miami CF 2, Atlanta United 1
May 13 Charlotte 3, Atlanta United 1
May 17 Atlanta United 4, Colorado 0
May 20 Atlanta United 3, Chicago 3
May 27 Atlanta United 1, Orlando 1
May 31 Atlanta United 3, New England 3
June 7 Atlanta United 0, LAFC 0
June 10 Atlanta United 3, D.C. United 1
June 21 Atlanta United 2, New York City 2
June 24 New York Red Bulls 4, Atlanta United 0
July 2 Atlanta United 2, Philadelphia 0
July 8 Atlanta United 1, Montreal 0
July 12 New England 2, Atlanta United 1
July 15 Orlando City 2, Atlanta United 1
July 25 Miami 4, Atlanta United 0 in Leagues Cup
July 29 Cruz Azul 1 (5), Atlanta United (4) 1 in Leagues Cup
Aug. 20 Atlanta United 2, Seattle 0
Aug. 26 Atlanta United 4, Nashville 0
Aug. 30 vs. FC Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 2 at FC Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 16 vs. Inter Miami CF, 5 p.m.
Sept. 20 at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 23 vs. CF Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 4 at Philadelphia Union, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 7 vs. Columbus Crew, 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 21 at FC Cincinnati, TBA
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