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July 22, 2024

Sources: Barcelona Signs Defender Mamadou Fall from LAFC – Major League Soccer

Barcelona has made a significant move by securing the services of Senegalese defender Mamadou Fall from LAFC in a deal valued at around $4 million, sources confirm. At just 21 years old, Fall has already shown promise, having spent the past year on loan with Barcelona’s second team. His 22 appearances with Barça B, showcasing his defensive prowess, have earned him a spot on the club’s radar. Before this, The Fall was loaned to Villarreal’s B team, where he continued his development in Spain’s competitive Segunda División. His journey began with LAFC, where he made a notable impact by appearing in 42 matches and establishing himself as one of the highest-rated young defenders in MLS.

Barcelona’s move for Fall reflects a continued trend of the club targeting emerging talent from Major League Soccer, a strategy previously seen with the signing of Julian Araujo from LA Galaxy in 2023. Fall’s arrival at Barcelona is part of a broader effort to strengthen the squad with young, promising players who have demonstrated significant potential. Meanwhile, The LAFC remains a formidable force in MLS, currently positioned second in the league standings with 47 points from 24 matches, highlighting the club’s ongoing success despite the departure of one of its standout defenders.

Sources: Atlanta United Near Deal to Sign Aleksey Miranchuk from Atalanta

The Atlanta United is on the verge of finalizing a deal to bring Russian international attacking midfielder Aleksey Miranchuk from Atalanta, according to sources. The agreement, which involves a transfer fee of approximately $13 million, marks a significant step in Atlanta’s ambitious summer rebuild. Both clubs and Miranchuk have agreed to the terms, with the Russian midfielder having signed off on the move. The strategic significance of this deal cannot be overstated, as it not only adds a talented player to Atlanta’s roster but also sets a new benchmark for the team’s ambitions in the MLS. The deal was first reported by DiMarzio.

If the deal with Miranchuk goes through, it would be a significant addition to Atlanta United’s squad. The club, which has already set records this summer by generating over $40 million in transfer revenue—a historic figure in MLS, is on the verge of making another landmark move. 

Miranchuk, with his potential $ 13 million fee, would become one of the most expensive players in league history, positioning him among the top signings. Atlanta United holds the record for the three highest transfers in MLS history, including Thiago Almada’s $16 million move.

Miranchuk, 28, has 45 caps for Russia and made notable contributions in Serie A last season with Atalanta, scoring three goals and providing six assists in 1,171 minutes. He also had four assists in 411 minutes in the Europa League, where he was part of the winning team. Since joining Atalanta in 2020 from Lokomotiv Moscow, he has accumulated 13 goals and 19 assists in 98 appearances, including a loan spell with Torino during the 2022-23 season, where he added four goals and six assists.

The signing of Miranchuk is intended to fill the void left by Thiago Almada’s departure to Botafogo for an initial $21 million, plus $9 million in add-ons. Additional departures include Giorgos Giakoumakis to Cruz Azul for $10 million and Caleb Wiley to Chelsea for $11 million. 

Miranchuk’s expected role as a central No. 10 in Atlanta’s revamped attack, alongside Saba Lobjanidze, Xande Silva, and either Daniel Rios or Jamal Thiare at center forward, is anticipated to significantly enhance the team’s offensive capabilities. Currently, Atlanta United is 9th in the MLS standings with 28 points from 25 matches.

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