5 players Atlanta United should target this summer
- Atlanta United are on the hunt for two new players to lead their attack
- The Five Stripes are looking to bring in an attacking midfielder and a striker
- The Eastern Conference team currently has two Designated Player slots open
Atlanta United could look to make a couple of big moves this summer in the transfer market after the sales of Giorgos Giakoumakis and Thiago Almada.
The Five Stripes are definitely not short on cash as they're looking to now bring in an attacking midfielder to replace Almada, who departed for Botafogo in Brazil and Giakoumakis, who was transferred to Liga MX outfit Cruz Azul. Atlanta have struggled to get much going in the final third in recent matches without a genuine creator and a goalscorer in the side.
Club president and CEO Garth Lagerway is said to look for players in their prime playing age -- mid-to-late 20's -- that might be near the end of their contract and typically playing in Europe. This is quite the contrast from how Atlanta has done transfer business in the past with their buy low and sell high method using young, talented Argentinian 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 made moves for Stian Gregersen and Bartosz Slisz, two more players in their prime from Europe -- it's quite clear what Lagerway is trying to do with Atlanta to get them back on the winning path.
Atlanta have reportedly made a couple of bids for Atalanta midfielder Aleksei Miranchuk, but who else should they target as they aim to lift themselves off the Eastern Conference floor?
1. Paulo Dybala - AS Roma
In terms of strikers in Europe, there aren't many better in terms of value for money than AS Roma's Paulo Dybala with numerous reports stating he's available for just €12m ($13.1m).
However, that would be a hefty sum for a player with a not-so-great injury history that would be playing on turf at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. But could Lagerway look past his age and make a splash to bring in the veteran forward?
2. Ilias Chair - Queens Park Rangers
If Atlanta are looking for a player nearing his prime that can play out wide or as an attacking midfielder, then look no further than QPR's Ilias Chair.
The 26-year-old Morocco international is coming off a 2023/24 EFL Championship season in which he bagged seven goals and tallied eight assists and could be a sensible move for Atlanta.
3. Mario Pasalic - Atalanta
Mario Pasalic is a player who would upgrade the Atlanta midfield massively, but it might be difficult to convince him to leave Italy for MLS as he's reportedly in talks to extend his contract past 2025 with the Europa League winners Atalanta.
If Atlanta manage to complete a deal for Miranchuk -- who as of right now is a teammate of Pasalic -- perhaps Atlanta's newest attacking midfielder could convince Pasalic to join him at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
4. Bruno Petkovic - Dinamo Zagreb
Continuing with the themes of Croatia internationals in Europe, Bruno Petkovic could fill the void left by Giorgios Giakoumakis up front 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 the Croatian top flight.
5. Daniel Podence - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Atlanta is in dire need of a winger that isn't afraid to take their man on and create chances in the final third -- in steps Daniel Podence.
The 28-year-old returns from a successful loan spell with Greek giants Olympiacos -- in which he managed 15 goals and lifted the UEFA Conference League. Podence is also another player on this list who's contract expires next summer and could seal a move away from Wolves as a Designated Player for Atlanta.