Benfica is about to lose Thiago Almada to Atlético. Here's why

Benfica is getting closer and closer... to failing to sign Thiago Almada. Considered one of Rui Costa's main objectives for the new 2025/26 season, the Argentine international has other priorities and has reportedly expressed a desire to play for Atlético Madrid, the Spanish club that entered the race for the player a few days ago.

According to AS , this Tuesday, Thiago Almada has the clear intention of wearing the Colchoneros jersey and being coached by his compatriot Diego Simeone, who he sees as the right coach to help him develop as a footballer.

However, according to the same Spanish publication, Atlético de Madrid will have to convince Botafogo to release the 24-year-old midfielder for a fee below the €40 million requested by John Textor and company. The Spanish club's management considers the amount unreasonable compared to Thiago Almeida's current market value—€25 million on Transfermarkt—but will continue to try to sign what they consider a necessary reinforcement to revamp the midfield.

However, in addition to Benfica and Atlético de Madrid , the Russians from Zenit and the English from Nottingham Forest, managed by Nuno Espírito Santo, are also interested in the player who shone in the Lyon shirt in the second half of last season.

Cancelled descent complicated the deal

Rui Costa's board is about to see weeks of negotiations with Botafogo as a waste. The Eagles wanted to take advantage of Lyon's relegation, which was ordered by the administrative court, but the decision was overturned after the French club appealed, and the eventual deal has once again become complicated.

Benfica put 35 million euros on the table , but even so they were unable to close a deal with the Brazilian club, which belongs to the company Eagle Football Holdings, which owns other clubs such as Crystal Palace and... Lyon.

Bruno Lage desperate for new midfielder

Amid so many departures from the squad, Bruno Lage is starting to get worried about the lack of midfielders to attack the new season, which starts at the end of this month and against Sporting, in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, played in the Algarve.

Orkun Kokçu and Renato Sanches are no longer on the roster, and the only midfield players left are Florentino Luís, Fredrik Aursnes, and Leandro Barreiro, along with some talented academy players who will be tested in these two weeks of preseason. Therefore, we're talking about limited options for a team aiming to return to the title race in 2025/26.

Polished by Paulo Fonseca

At 24, Thiago Almada played for Lyon last season under Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca, marking his first stint in European football. Before that, he spent time in Brazil with Botafogo, the club that signed the then-promising youngster from Atlanta United in the United States for €14.55 million in 2022. Vélez Sarsfield was the club where Almada trained and eventually made it to the senior team.

Thiago Almada also has four goals in just 10 games for Argentina's senior national team.

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