Thiago Almada is set to sign for Dutch side Ajax despite interest from Aston Villa throughout this transfer window.
The 22-year old looks to be moving to Amsterdam for a fee in the region of £23 million.
He signed for Atlanta United in February 2022 for £16 million from Velez Sarsfield where he had scored 17 in 79 games.
A further 17 goals in MLS, paired with 19 assists has seen interest in the Argentine spike.
Ajax appear to be the team to win the attacking midfielder’s signature, replacing the outgoing Mohammed Kudus.
With the injury of fellow Argentina international, Emiliano Buendia, Unai Emery’s side showed interest in the Atlanta man.
Interest in him cooled as Villa focused their interest in the Italian midfielder, Nicolo Zaniolo.
Should Aston Villa sign Thiago Almada?
In spite of him nearing a move to the Netherlands, would he have worked in the midlands?
This would have been a top, top signing, there is no doubt.
At 22, he has featured in a world cup winning team and is one of the best players in MLS.
He isn’t defensive minded in any sense of the word, but going forward he is great and is only going to improve.
Almada is a number 10 and that is where he is comfortable.
He is good at almost everything going forward. Passing, dribbling and shooting he is strong at.
Finding precise through and long balls. Driving past defenders and pushing the team up the pitch. Scoring from any range and from set pieces.
Almada has almost everything you could ask for as an attacking midfielder.
The issue comes with the transition from MLS to Premier League which has seen plenty of players struggle.
With players like Jozy Altidore in the past, to Miguel Almiron now.
The move across the pond is not always smooth.
It can be said that with Zaniolo, Villa have picked up an experienced and high quality midfielder for a similar fee.
Although Almada would have been exciting, Zaniolo feels like the more sensible option.
It is likely that the Argentine will flourish at the Johan Cryuff ArenA, but Zaniolo will at Villa Park too.
