Atlanta United sell Luiz Araújo to Brazilian giants Flamengo

Atlanta United made another power transfer sale move, agreeing to selling Brazilian winger Luiz Araújo to Flamengo. The reported eight-figure transfer will see Araújo remain with the club through June 24.

Atlanta has not made comments yet.

The Georgia club acquired Araújo from Ligue 1 side Lille in 2021 for a reported transfer fee of $11.8 million, making him ATL’s highest paid player with a reported salary nearing the $4.5 million mark.

The much-anticipated Designated player was employed primarily as a right winger and has contributed 11 goals and 12 assists in 56 appearances with the club, failing to impact the team as was originally desired.

This could prove to be a busy summer for Atlanta now that a DP slot opens for the July 5 transfer window that runs through August 2. There is speculation that the team will entertain offers for Thiago Almada who is on a potential MVP run with six goals and six assists in 11 matches, fullback Caleb Wiley who is currently prepping with the USMNT for the U20 World Cup in Argentina this month, and center back Miles Robinson whose contract runs out at the end of this season.

Club president Garth Lagerwey and vice president Carlos Bocanegra have already alluded to the club’s transfer activity, hinting to the possibility of player additions as they sit momentarily fourth in the Eastern Conference with 21 points, six behind conference punter Cincinnati.

Head coach Gonzalo Pineda has drawn negative attention and is under pressure to return the team to previous glories. He has a few options for filling in Araújo's void, the best being putting Brooks Lennon up in the wing and putting defender Ronald Hernández back in his natural right-back slot.