Thiago Almada gains points on FC Barcelona's radar: Discover the reasons

FC Barcelona keeps several forwards on its radar for the 2026 summer market. Although the top priority next summer will be to go for another '9', Deco and Hansi Flick do not rule out signing another left winger, this as long as the club rules out negotiating an eventual definitive transfer with Marcus Rashford.

The Englishman was chosen to reinforce the left side of the 'azulgrana' attack, after the second rejection of Nico Williams to Barça. The Basque player was the first alternative in terms of left wingers, in a list that also included, much further back than the Athletic forward and the Manchester United youth player, Thiago Almada.

The Argentinian footballer was a figure of Botafogo in the historic 2024 campaign, where the 'Fogao' won the Copa Libertadores and the Brasileirao. After the Club World Cup, Atlético de Madrid anticipated other big teams by paying 21 million euros for the 24-year-old player.

Deco is still attentive to the evolution of Thiago Almada in LaLiga

However, Barcelona does not rule out making some move for Almada in the future. The player from Ciudadela signed for five seasons, until June 2030, but Atlético's start to the season has been very poor.

The 'colchoneros' have only added a couple of draws in three appearances in which Thiago has been a starter, without offensive contributions in 209 minutes of action. The '11', however, has taken a step forward in the Argentinian national team during the September FIFA date.

Thiago Almada celebrates a goal against Venezuela (3-0) with Leo Messi

The left winger was a starter in the rout against Venezuela (3-0), adding an assist in a match where the 'albiceleste' won comfortably. Almada was a headache without solution for the 'vinotinto' defense, creating a lot of danger on the flanks together with Franco Mastantuono.

Thiago's great advantage is his ease to overflow, as well as the ability to attack on both sides. Although he feels more comfortable on the left, he can also do a lot of damage with a changed profile. In fact, that's where he provoked the assist for the goal that closed the scoring, scored by Leo Messi. 

In Botafogo he added 3 goals and 2 assists in 26 matches between July and December 2024. In the first half of the year he played on loan at Lyon, where he also left flashes of quality with a couple of goals and 5 assists in 20 appearances.

Now, the Argentinian seeks to settle in Europe with an Atlético that spent a lot on reinforcements this summer (almost 180 'kilos'), but has not yet taken off. Barça already had him on their radar in 2020, when he began to shine with the Argentinian Vélez.

Barça would rule out Thiago Almada if they decide to buy Marcus Rashford

Beyond Thiago Almada's adaptation in LaLiga, Barcelona would only decide to go for the South American player or any other left winger if Marcus Rashford returns to United next summer. The Englishman's loan does not include a mandatory purchase option, but the 'azulgrana' team could negotiate a definitive transfer for around 40 million in 2026.

This, as long as the performance of the '14' is up to expectations. The 27-year-old forward scored a goal in the four preseason friendlies, but has not yet released his statistical section in the 25/26 after accumulating 94 minutes of action in the first three matchdays of La Liga.

Barça appreciates 'Rashy's' effort to facilitate his loan to Barça (the player lowered his salary), but will only consider a definitive purchase if his records are close to his best season in Manchester, the 22/23 (he scored 30 goals and 12 assists in 56 matches). 

Understanding that Marcus still has a contract until 2028, a great season and an eventual increase in his market value (now he is listed for around 50 'kilos' in Transfermarkt) would lead the 'red devils' to ask for a higher price for his transfer. From now until the summer of 2026, many things can still happen.