Atlético Madrid Completes €20 Million Transfer for Thiago Almada from River Plate
Atlético Madrid has reached a deal with Argentine club River Plate for the transfer of midfielder Thiago Almada, valued at €20 million. According to Yahoo Sports, Almada will make his return to South America just one year after joining Los Colchoneros from Brazilian club Botafogo.
A Brief Spell in Madrid
Almada started the 2025/26 season as a key player under coach Diego Simeone, but a muscle injury in September disrupted his progress, sidelining him for five weeks. Following his recovery, he faced challenges in securing playing time, though he did manage to assist Julián Alvarez’s equalizer and successfully converted a penalty during the Copa del Rey final shootout.
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River Plate had shown interest in Almada for several months, and Flamengo also reported interest. This transfer will reunite him with former Atlético forward Ángel Correa.
The Transfer Structure and Buy-Back Clause
River Plate is paying €20 million for complete ownership of Almada’s federative rights. Atlético Madrid will receive €10 million for their 50% stake, with Lyon receiving the remaining €10 million.
Atlético has included a €40 million buy-back clause that will be valid until December 2027. Almada is poised to sign a three-and-a-half-year contract with River Plate.
Wage Space for Romero Pursuit
The transfer of Almada, alongside proposed moves for Nahuel Molina to Roma and Matteo Ruggeri to Aston Villa, could free up approximately €14 million in gross salary from Atlético’s wage bill. Almada and Molina’s transfers await official confirmation, while Ruggeri’s deal still needs the player’s consent.
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This outgoing business would create room for Atlético’s pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur center-back Cristian Romero, a key defensive target identified by Simeone. Atlético aims to bolster their defense after conceding 81 goals across four competitions in the 2025/26 season.
Romero Bid Reported
As reported by Marca, Atlético has submitted an initial offer of €30 million to Tottenham and is willing to increase the bid to €40 million. Other reports suggest that Atlético is drafting a €30 million offer, while Tottenham has accepted a €40 million offer from Inter Milan.
Romero has reportedly shown a preference for a transfer to Spain, while Inter remains a contender for his signature. Atlético’s capacity to accommodate the defender’s salary depends on the successful completion of their outgoing transfers.
Atlético Madrid have reached an agreement with Argentine side River Plate for the transfer of midfielder Thiago Almada in a deal worth €20m. Yahoo Sports reports that Almada will return to South America one year after joining Los Colchoneros from Brazilian club Botafogo.
A brief spell in Madrid
Almada began the 2025/26 season as a starter under Diego Simeone, but a muscle injury in September interrupted his adaptation and cost him five weeks. He subsequently struggled for minutes, although he provided an assist for Julián Alvarez’s equaliser and converted his penalty in the Copa del Rey final shootout.
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River had been pursuing Almada for months, while Flamengo were also reported to have shown interest. The move to Buenos Aires will reunite him with former Atlético forward Ángel Correa.
The transfer structure and buy-back clause
River Plate are paying €20m for 100% of Almada’s federative rights. Atlético will receive €10m for their 50% share, while Lyon will receive the other €10m.
Atlético have retained a €40m buy-back clause that will remain valid until December 2027. Almada is expected to sign a three-and-a-half-year contract with River Plate.
Wage space for Romero pursuit
Almada’s transfer, along with Nahuel Molina’s proposed move to Roma and Matteo Ruggeri’s proposed transfer to Aston Villa, could clear around €14m in gross salary from Atlético’s wage bill. Almada and Molina’s moves were awaiting official confirmation, while Ruggeri’s transfer still required the player’s approval.
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The outgoing business would create space for Atlético’s pursuit of Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Cristian Romero, a player Simeone has identified as his leading defensive target. Atlético are seeking to strengthen a back line that conceded 81 goals across four competitions in 2025/26.
Romero bid reported
According to Marca, Atlético have submitted a first €30m offer to Tottenham and are prepared to go as high as €40m. Other reporting has described the club as preparing a €30m offer, while Tottenham were reported to have accepted a €40m offer from Inter Milan.
Romero has been reported to favour a move to Spain, and Inter remain in the race for his signature. Atlético’s ability to accommodate the defender’s salary is tied to the completion of their outgoing transfers.
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