Even if Rodrigo left the Paul Atletico Madrid, it is unlikely that Diego Simeone will have a shortage of Argentina internationals next season. Los Colchoneros are moving for another of the international teammates of the Paul as a replacement for Angel Correa.
In his decade, Correa never locked up a starting role for Atletico, but turned out to be a brilliant super sub and essential depth for Simeone. With Antoine Griezmann aging, and doubts about Alexander Sorloth, Los Rojiblancos would like to bring a different attacking option to supplement their forward line.
Thiago Almada, who is owned by Botafogo but spent the second half of the 2025 season on loan in Olympique Lyon, is thought that it is close to a move to Atletico. That is, according to both Marca and Diario AS, although there is little chance that Los Rojiblancos will pay the asking price of € 40 million from Botafogo. It is also noted that Almada shares the same agent as Correa, who moved to Tigres in Mexico last week for € 9 million.
Benfica was cited as the most important competition of Atletico, but on Monday a record in Portugal Decalred became that the Eagles fell out of the race for his signature. Zenit St. Petersburg and Nottingham Forest have also shown interest in the 24-year-old, but his preference to play under Simeone seems to have waved the balance for Atletico.
Almada will fight for a place in the starting line-up, next to international teammates Julian Alvarez, Nahuel Molina and Giuliano Simeone. He has 10 caps for Argentina and four goals, which shows a good relationship with Alvarez during an international service. He tends to work behind the forward line and looks the most like Antoine Griezmann.
It is also noted that director of Football Carlos Bucero Almada regards as a strong investment. In addition to what he can bring to the field, Bucero is of the opinion that Almada is a good opportunity in terms of price tag and probably gives a profit if they sell it later. Atletico has also been linked to Almada several times in recent years.