Atletico Madrid are set to recoup €27m as Thiago Almada heads to Flamengo after a disappointing year at the Metropolitano. The club will recover its initial €20m investment and free up funds for Diego Simeone’s summer plans. The deal is set to be finalized this week following agreements between the parties and Atletico’s explicit authorization for Flamengo to negotiate directly with the player.

What happened to Thiago Almada at Atletico Madrid?

The Argentine midfielder joined Atletico in July 2025 from Lyon for €20m for 50% of his federative rights, but never established himself in Simeone’s starting XI. His inconsistent performances were flagged as a risk before the 2025 World Cup, when Atletico marked him as a sellable asset to avoid a drop in market value. With 62 goals scored and 44 conceded (+18 goal difference) in the 2025-26 season, Almada managed just 6 goals and 4 assists in 32 games, far below expectations.

The club set an exit price of €20m, a figure Flamengo quickly surpassed. Talks escalated to a package approaching €27m (around $30m), per Diario AS, with the payment structure the only remaining hurdle. Atletico’s last result was a 5-1 loss to Villarreal on May 24, 2026, which accelerated the decision to offload players like Almada.

Why Almada’s exit matters for Atletico Madrid

The sale frees up wage space and lets the club reinvest in reinforcements better suited to Simeone’s project. After finishing 4th in La Liga 2025-26 (69 points, 21 wins, 6 draws, 11 losses), the team needs midfield upgrades to close the 25-point gap with leaders Barcelona. Sporting director Mateo Alemany is prioritizing financial sustainability before closing deals.

Flamengo, meanwhile, secures Almada’s services until 2030 with a four-year contract. The Brazilian club, which brought back Lucas Paquetá in January, is doubling down on high-profile signings to compete in the Libertadores and Brasileirão. The agreement with Almada’s representatives will be finalized this week in Rio de Janeiro, where he could sign before the window closes.

What’s next in Atletico Madrid’s transfer window?

The trip by Almada’s camp to Rio de Janeiro is the final concrete milestone before an official announcement. If the payment structure is resolved - the last sticking point - Atletico and Flamengo could finalize the transfer within days. No rival bids have emerged, simplifying the process.

For Atletico, the math is simple: recouping nearly €27m for a player who underdelivered clears the books and lets the club target profiles better aligned with Simeone’s style. The sale underscores the club’s hardline stance on key players, even as names like Antoine Griezmann or Jan Oblak remain out of reach. With the 2026-27 season looming, Atletico balances results and financial prudence.