River Plate Is Very Close to Signing Thiago Almada
El futuro de Thiago Almada parece estar nuevamente en el futbol argentino. El campeón del mundo con la The future of Thiago Almada appears to be heading back to Argentine football. The Argentina National Team World Cup winner is on the verge of becoming a new River Plate player in what could become one of the biggest transfers of the South American transfer window.
According to EFE, the Buenos Aires club will pay €20 million to acquire 50% of the attacking midfielder's economic rights, with Almada expected to sign a three-and-a-half-year contract.
The move would mark Almada's return to Argentina after four years abroad, a period in which he played for Atlanta United, Botafogo, Olympique Lyon, and Atlético de Madrid.
River Finds the Reinforcement It Needed
The arrival of Thiago Almada would provide a major boost for a River Plate side going through one of the most difficult stretches in recent years.
Managed by Eduardo "Chacho" Coudet, the club has opened the Torneo Clausura with three consecutive defeats and has yet to score a goal. On top of that, River was eliminated from the Copa Argentina by Aldosivi, results that sparked frustration among supporters at Estadio Monumental.
In response, the club has accelerated its squad rebuild by signing players such as Nicolás Otamendi and Ángel Correa, while several members of the current squad have been left out of the sporting project.
The addition of Almada would represent the centerpiece of that rebuild, as the Argentine playmaker is expected to become the team's primary creative force in attack.
Why He Never Became a Key Player Under Simeone
Although Thiago Almada arrived at Atlético de Madrid as one of the club's long-term investments, he never established himself as an undisputed starter under Diego Simeone.
The Argentine midfielder made 40 appearances for the Spanish club and scored four goals, numbers that reflected the lack of consistent playing time he received after arriving in Madrid.
From a tactical standpoint, Almada's profile differs from what Simeone traditionally demands from players in that role. His greatest strengths are finding space between the lines, receiving under pressure, carrying the ball forward, and creating chances in the final third, while Simeone's system places greater emphasis on defensive discipline, relentless work off the ball, and tactical structure.
Even so, the former Vélez Sarsfield star's talent has never been questioned. His performances with the Argentina National Team, where he developed an excellent attacking partnership with Lionel Messi, proved that he is capable of making the difference when given the freedom to create.
Now, everything points to River Plate as the ideal place to relaunch his career. If the transfer is completed, the Argentine giants will bring back one of the country's most gifted players, while Atlético de Madrid will close the chapter on a talented footballer who never quite found the continuity he was looking for under Diego Simeone.
