Atlanta United could look to make a few big moves this summer in the transfer market after selling Giorgos Giakoumakis and Thiago Almada.
The Five Stripes are not short of money as they are now looking to bring in an attacking midfielder to replace Almada, who has moved to Botafogo in Brazil and Giakoumakis, who has been transferred to Liga MX side Cruz Azul. Atlanta has struggled to get much going in the final third in recent games without a true creator and scorer in the side.
Club president and CEO Garth Lagerway is said to be looking at players in their prime — their mid-to-late 20s — who may be nearing the end of their contracts and playing in Europe. This is in stark contrast to the way Atlanta has done transfer business in the past with its buy low and sell high style using young, talented Argentine players.
Last summer, we saw Atlanta and Lagerway bring in the likes of Tristan Muyumba, Saba Lobjanidze, Jamal Thiare, and Xande Silva — all solid squad players from Europe. This past winter, Atlanta acquired Stian Gregersen and Bartosz Slisz, two other players in their prime from Europe — it's clear what Lagerway is trying to do with Atlanta to get back to winning ways.
Atlanta have reportedly made several bids for Atalanta midfielder Aleksei Miranchuk, but who else should they be targeting as they look to pry themselves off the Eastern Conference floor?
As far as strikers in Europe go, there aren't many better priced than AS Roma's Paulo Dybala who is reportedly only available for €12 million ($13.1m).
However, that would be a hefty sum for a player with a poor injury history who will be playing at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. But does Lagerway look beyond his years and make a splash to bring the veteran forward?
If Atlanta are looking for a player of his caliber who can play anywhere or as an attacking midfielder, look no further than QPR's Ilias Chair.
The 26-year-old Moroccan is coming off a 2023/24 EFL Championship season where he scored seven goals and added eight assists and it could be a bumper year for Atlanta.
Mario Pasalic is a player who will improve Atlanta's midfield, but it may be difficult to convince him to leave Italy for the MLS as he is reportedly in talks to extend his contract until 2025 with Europa League winners Atalanta.
If Atlanta can complete a deal for Miranchuk – who is currently working with Pasalic – perhaps Atlanta's new midfielder can convince Pasalic to join him at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Continuing the themes of Croatian players in Europe, Bruno Petkovic could replace Georgios Giakoumakis at forward and center for Atlanta.
The 29-year-old has one year left on his contract with Dinamo Zagreb and is fresh off an 18-goal season in Croatia's top flight.
Atlanta desperately needs a defender who isn't afraid to take on his man and create chances in the final third — in the footsteps of Daniel Podence.
The 28-year-old is returning from a successful loan spell with Greek giants Olympiacos – where he scored 15 goals and lifted the UEFA Conference League. Podence is another player on this list whose contract expires next summer and could close from the Wolves as Atlanta's designated player.
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