Sergi Roberto this week announced his departure from FC Barcelona, with Inter Miami on of the teams linked with the defender.
Roberto has been rumored with Inter Miami as the Herons eye their next superstar signing this summer, with the 32-year-old fullback a realistic option for the Florida franchise given his career at Barcelona and education with La Masia.
With Inter Miami becoming something of a retirement home for former Barcelona superstars, Roberto heading to MLS to reunite with Lionel Messi and company seemed like a transfer that could have happened this summer.
Yet it appears that the right-back has other ideas having now left Barcelona.
Roberto intent on staying in Europe despite Inter Miami interest
According to Mundo Deportivo, Roberto is keen to stay in Europe and to join a top club this summer, with the versatile right-back eager to sign for a new team in the next two weeks amid interest from Ajax, Girona and West Ham.
With Inter Miami pretty stacked in the right-back position and already stretching their salary cap as far as it can go, signing Roberto this summer was always going to be a lofty ambition for the Herons without getting caught in trouble with MLS.
Indeed, at 32-years-old, Roberto has some years ahead of him before his career is over, with the door to America potentially still open for the defender in the next two to three years if the former Spanish international can find a move this summer.
And for Inter Miami, they should hold onto hope that they can one say bring Roberto to Chase Stadium, with the former Barcelona star a player who could realistically join the club in the next few years.
Herons need to be patient in their bid to sign Roberto
Roberto won’t be heading to MLS this summer, yet for Inter Miami, the chase is far from over in their attempt to bring another former Barcelona star to Florida.
As we know, Roberto wants another crack at top European soccer before moving to America or even Saudi Arabia, with Inter Miami best positioned to sign the 32-year-old fullback in the future.
And Inter Miami need to be patient if they’re to eventually land Roberto, who is seemingly open to joining the Herons later on his career once he’s finished playing at the highest possible level.