Atlanta United might look to make a few large strikes this summer time within the switch market after the gross sales of Giorgos Giakoumakis and Thiago Almada.
The 5 Stripes are undoubtedly not brief on money as they’re seeking to now usher in an attacking midfielder to interchange Almada, who departed for Botafogo in Brazil and Giakoumakis, who was transferred to Liga MX outfit Cruz Azul. Atlanta have struggled to get a lot going within the remaining third in current matches with out a real creator and a goalscorer within the facet.
Membership president and CEO Garth Lagerway is alleged to search for gamers of their prime taking part in age — mid-to-late 20’s — that may be close to the top of their contract and usually taking part in in Europe. That is fairly the distinction from how Atlanta has accomplished switch enterprise up to now with their purchase low and promote excessive methodology utilizing younger, proficient Argentinian gamers.
Final summer time, we noticed Atlanta and Lagerway carry within the likes of Tristan Muyumba, Saba Lobjanidze, Jamal Thiare, and Xande Silva — all strong squad gamers from Europe. This previous winter, Atlanta made strikes for Stian Gregersen and Bartosz Slisz, two extra gamers of their prime from Europe — it is fairly clear what Lagerway is attempting to do with Atlanta to get them again on the profitable path.
Atlanta have reportedly made a few bids for Atalanta midfielder Aleksei Miranchuk, however who else ought to they aim as they intention to raise themselves off the Jap Convention flooring?
By way of strikers in Europe, there aren’t many higher by way of worth for cash than AS Roma’s Paulo Dybala with quite a few studies stating he is obtainable for simply €12m ($13.1m).
Nevertheless, that might be a hefty sum for a participant with a not-so-great harm historical past that might be taking part in on turf at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. However might Lagerway look previous his age and make a splash to herald the veteran ahead?
If Atlanta are in search of a participant nearing his prime that may play out broad or as an attacking midfielder, then look no additional than QPR’s Ilias Chair.
The 26-year-old Morocco worldwide is coming off a 2023/24 EFL Championship season through which he bagged seven targets and tallied eight assists and could possibly be a wise transfer for Atlanta.
Mario Pasalic is a participant who would improve the Atlanta midfield massively, but it surely may be tough to persuade him to go away Italy for MLS as he is reportedly in talks to increase his contract previous 2025 with the Europa League winners Atalanta.
If Atlanta handle to finish a deal for Miranchuk — who as of proper now’s a teammate of Pasalic — maybe Atlanta’s latest attacking midfielder might persuade Pasalic to hitch him at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Persevering with with the themes of Croatia internationals in Europe, Bruno Petkovic might fill the void left by Giorgios Giakoumakis up entrance and middle for Atlanta.
The 29-year-old has one 12 months left on his contract with Dinamo Zagreb and is contemporary off an 18-goal season within the Croatian high flight.
Atlanta is in dire want of a winger that is not afraid to take their man on and create probabilities within the remaining third — in steps Daniel Podence.
The 28-year-old returns from a profitable mortgage spell with Greek giants Olympiacos — through which he managed 15 targets and lifted the UEFA Convention League. Podence can be one other participant on this listing who’s contract expires subsequent summer time and will seal a transfer away from Wolves as a Designated Participant for Atlanta.
