Thiago Almada to Atletico Madrid? MLS star and FIFA World Cup winner alongside Lionel Messi touted for move away from Atlanta United to La Liga giants

Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reported on Thursday that the MLS midfielder was attracting interest from Diego Simeone and co. - with him being touted as a possible replacement for the potentially-exiting Angel Correa. Almada is reportedly "very high" on the list of the club.

The journalist wrote on X: "Thiago Almada is one of the top names on Atletico Madrid list in case Angel Correa will leave the club. Al Ittihad will approach Atleti for Correa and Thiago Almada has always been appreciated by Atleti. His name is very high on club’s list."

Almada was a 2022 FIFA World Cup winner for Argentina alongside Lionel Messi and co. The attacking midfielder has since been attracting interest of many European clubs, and has stated his desire to leave Atlanta United, as well. Voted the MLS Young Player of the Year in 2023, club President Garth Lagerway has even admitted that the club believes he is "deserving" of an MLS-record transfer fee this January.

Diego Simeone's side take on city rivals Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey on Thursday, January 19. If Almada were to complete a transfer, the first match he would be eligible to play would be January 22 against Granada.