Ajax has emerged as a suitor for Argentina international and Atlanta United attacking midfielder Thiago Almada, sources tell The Athletic.

There has been informal talks between intermediaries but no official bids yet.

Almada is viewed as a replacement for Ghana international Mohammed Kudus, who is nearing a transfer to West Ham United.

Atlanta has insisted all summer they have little interest in dealing Almada at this time.

Reports in Netherlands suggest a fee around €15 million ($16.2m) could get a deal done are severely wide of the mark. Atlanta signed Almada for a league-record incoming transfer fee north of $16 million from Velez Sarsfield. Almada has since become a star in MLS and World Cup champion with Argentina; they are in no position to sell for cheap.

Atlanta is believed to require a figure around the MLS record outbound transfer ($29 million) for their star man.

Almada, 22, has eight goals and 10 assists across 22 regular season appearances this season, crucial to Atlanta’s success with the club sitting in seventh place with 38 points, on track to make the playoffs. He is among the best players in the league.

The Athletic reported this week that Atlanta are also dealing with serious interest from Europe in star striker Giorgios Giakoumakis. Atlanta is intent on keeping both, but official offers may test their resolve.

The summer transfer window in MLS closed on August 2, meaning Atlanta could only sign free agents if they wanted to replace either player for this season, further complicating any potential deal.