Following a disappointing 2023 season that kept Inter Miami out of the MLS playoffs, the club faces questions about who might join in the coming months and what gaps still need filling.
Inter Miami’s 2023 transfer window will be remembered as a turning point in MLS history. Lionel Messi’s arrival in South Florida turned every moment into cinema for fans, and the club’s trajectory since then has felt like a scripted drama in real life.
As the dust settles, anticipation for the sequel grows. How can Inter Miami build on the record-setting window that featured Messi? Could the club pursue additional blockbuster signings in the months ahead? More crucially, with Messi now steering the roster, which pieces can be added to contend for MLS glory?
The process of answering these questions has already begun. Since Messi’s arrival, chatter has intensified about the next big name that could pair with him, alongside Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
So, who might Miami target this offseason? GOAL offers a closer look.
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Rules to be followed
For MLS newcomers, each team operates under a distinct set of guidelines. Inter Miami has sometimes pushed those boundaries. But as the 2024 season looms, it remains unclear what those rules will look like in practice.
There have been whispers of changes this winter, yet until they are confirmed, the assumption is that the league’s guidelines will resemble those of 2023. Consequently, Inter Miami would begin the season with a maximum squad size of three designated players in the lineup: Messi, Busquets, and Leonardo Campana.
There is positive news too: the league’s punishment for earlier salary declaration issues has been resolved, ending a period in which the club faced a heavy fine and reduced allocation money. That development returns Inter Miami to parity with other teams in 2024.
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Luis Suárez
The reporting around Suárez points toward a likely departure from Gremio in the winter window. The club has signaled that he will move on, with his decision aided by marked improvements in his fitness and the prospect of reuniting with Messi in Miami.
Messi and Suárez are longtime friends who shared a storied partnership at Barcelona. Their families are close, and their rapport on and off the pitch helped shape a historically potent Barca era. Barcelona’s past decision to part ways with Suárez added a dramatic backstory to any potential reunion in South Florida.
Suárez appears to be Miami’s primary Barcelona-linked target, though the financial intricacies of such a deal will have to be worked out. Alba’s acceptance of a lower wage to join friends could inspire similar maneuvers for other former teammates in Miami.
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Luka Modrić
While Suárez leads the Barcelona-linked chatter, Modrić remains in the conversation as a potential addition. The Croatian star’s name has circulated frequently, drawing a response from Carlo Ancelotti about Real Madrid’s plans, which at the moment do not involve letting him depart in January. Yet in football, plans change quickly.
The big question for Miami is the broader impact: how would an aging midfield maestro affect a squad already built around Busquets? Could the club accommodate another veteran with MLS wages in play, and would a player like Benjamin Cremaschi be willing to adapt to a deeper role if such a signature came to pass?
Speculation persists, but even with Modrić’s allure, a signing would hinge on financial feasibility and squad balance. A deal would mean adding a player still at peak form to a midfield that already carries star weight.
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Sergi Roberto
Another Barcelona name surfaces in Miami conversations. Sergi Roberto, while not at the Messi-Alba-Suárez level in stardom, has spent over a decade proving his versatility and winning pedigree. At 31, he could still offer meaningful minutes in MLS and provide a different tactical option for the Inter Miami engine room.
Yet some reports from Spain suggest Roberto may prefer continuing to lead Barcelona as captain, a role he assumed after Busquets left. If that path remains open, a move to MLS could be delayed until a later window.
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Positions that need
Right now, Inter Miami probably fields the most talented starting XI in MLS. Beyond the legacy trio from Barcelona, the squad counts DeAndre Yedlin as a veteran presence in defense, young midfielders Cremaschi and the US national team’s talent, and goalkeeper Drake Callender. The summer arrivals Facundo Farías and Tomás Avilés flashed ability, while veterans Gregore and Jean Mota returned from injuries in 2023 and are expected to contribute again this season. Altogether, the roster includes around 15 players who could be among MLS’s top 10 at their positions.
However, there are clear needs. The forward line shows signs of change with Josef Martínez potentially moving on, though Campana’s presence offers both a starter and a valuable trade asset if needed.
Defensive depth remains a priority, even though Kamal Miller was re-signed to reinforce central defense. In midfield, more options could help bridge periods without Messi, and adding another forward could relieve the burden on Farías during high-load stretches. Balancing the wage bill may be necessary if new signings push past current thresholds.
Overall, the roster does not scream panic moves. The team appears positioned to pick spots carefully, adding players who fit the system and the club’s long-term strategy rather than chasing fame alone.
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Export
The club’s plans for the striker position are shaped by Martino’s decision to move Martínez on, creating a noteworthy vacancy. Campana’s ongoing presence offers both quality upfront and an asset that could fetch value if a lucrative offer arrives. The front line could also benefit from tactical flexibility, allowing Campana to partner with a new arrival or to function as a lone striker when the system demands it.
Most of the core players appear under contract for the next season. Miami has options with the Finland international Robert Taylor, who impressed during Messi mania and could serve as a reliable depth piece moving forward. Conversely, contracts for Victor Ulloa and Robbie Robinson are nearing expiration, signaling potential exits to align the squad with budgetary and strategic needs.
Much will also hinge on how Campana’s value is managed and whether a sale could unlock additional funds. Defender Chris McVey is another asset that could be considered for a transfer if the club seeks to strengthen the squad financially while preserving core talent.
End note: the evolving landscape could see a mix of patience and calculated moves as Inter Miami navigates a delicate balance between star power and squad harmony.
Source: Goal