The MLS transfer window is done and dusted for another summer, with Inter Miami not as busy as many would have expected.
With links to Raphael Varane, Sergi Roberto and James Rodriguez, there was a hint of optimism in the air that Inter Miami might have gone big in the market and once again brought out their wallet to sign a soccer superstar.
However, Inter Miami kept it tame this summer, with the highlight deal being the sale of Diego Gomez to Brighton & Hove Albion for a club-record fee, a transfer that will go through at the end of the MLS season.
Yet MLS expert Matt Doyle has praised Inter Miami for one more piece of business they did this summer.
Inter Miami swoop for David Martinez praised as perfect
Writing for MLS’s official website, the pundit highlighted how Inter Miami’s loan acquisition of David Martinez from River Plate was exactly what the Herons needed having lost Nicolas Freire to injury.
Although Martinez was sent off against Toronto FC in Leagues Cup action, the Paraguay international has impressed with his limited appearances for Inter Miami, with the defender the potential missing piece for the Florida franchise to go all the way in the MLS post-season.
Doyle said when grading Inter Miami’s transfer business this summer in the window: “Miami needed to get a prime-aged center back who could dictate the game with the ball a bit, and Martinez fits the bill.
“The River Plate loanee’s comfort in creating tempo will allow the Herons to do more than outscore opponents; they’ll be more apt to dominate them positionally and pull them apart, pass by pass from back to front. As long as he doesn’t get any more dumb red cards, anyway.”
Inter Miami did all they needed to do this summer in the market
Inter Miami went into the transfer window not needing much, with a new center-back who can replace the void left by Freire the only void that needed filling this summer.
And in signing Martinez, Inter Miami did just that, with the on-loan River Plate defender hitting the ground running in Florida and already looking the part despite joining the club less than a month ago.
With a good run of games coming up, Martinez can build up more experience heading into the post-season play-offs, where with Lionel Messi back fit, the defender could play. massive role in Inter Miami winning MLS Cup.