Inter Miami are set for a big off-season under new manager Javier Mascherano, with superstar players already being linked with a move to Florida.
Angel Di Maria has once again emerged as a target for Inter Miami with the Herons still linked with a move for Brazil international Neymar, who has recently purchased a $26m property in Florida earlier this year.
With Mohamed Salah also on Inter Miami’s radar, there’s a real chance that a superstar player could be joining Lionel Messi and company at Chase Stadium this winter, with Mascherano keen to add to his squad ahead of the 2025 MLS season.
And one Inter Miami target is seemingly closer to Messi when compared to others.
Inter Miami-linked Nicolas Otamendi has Messi tattoo
Nicolas Otamendi has this week been rumored with a move to Inter Miami, with the Argentina international a teammate of Messi’s for the reigning world champions as well as Mascherano’s during his playing days with the South American giants.
Not only was Otamendi part of the Argentina squad that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but the Benfica defender also has a tattoo of Messi with the famous trophy having beaten France on penalties in the final.
With Otamendi set to become a free-agent next summer and Inter Miami in the market for a big-name player, the former Manchester City star could be an ideal signing for the Herons in 2025 if the center-back is open to moving to MLS.
However, with Otamendi having a tattoo of Messi, there’s a real chance that the 36-year-old could be easily convinced to make the move to Inter Miami, especially with the Herons in need of a top-class central defender to add to their ranks.
Inter Miami need to go all in on trying to sign Otamendi next month
Inter Miami had zero problems scoring goals this season, with the Herons setting a new goalscoring record on their way to winning the Supporters’ Shield and setting a new regular-season points tally.
Yet ask most Inter Miami fans where problems occurred, the majority will reply with issues at the back, a problem that signing Otamendi could solve overnight given the defender’s immense quality and experience at the highest level.
With Otamendi a former teammate of Mascherano’s and a friend of Messi’s, the Benfica defender ticks a lot of boxes for what Inter Miami are looking for in a center-back signing, with the veteran also potentially available for free depending on what happens with the Benfica star’s contract situation.