Inter Miami’s January business looks set to be one for the ages, with Real Betis defender Marc Bartra the latest rumored target for the Herons.
The former FC Barcelona center-back is reportedly close to joining Inter Miami, with Bartra a former teammate of Lionel Messi and friends during his time with the La Liga giants, where the defender made over 100 appearances.
With Inter Miami also interested in signing Neymar, there’s a good chance that the Florida franchise could be about to add to their Barcelona clique having appointed Javier Mascherano last month to replace Tata Martino.
And Bartra has previously admitted some interesting things about Messi in the past.
Playing with Messi ‘one of the best things’ to happen to Bartra
Having come through Barcelona’s academy and played over 70 games with Messi, Bartra knows a thing or two when it comes to the Inter Miami no. 10 and the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, especially having featured alongside the Argentine during the peak of his career.
And speaking to reporters during his time at Barcelona, Bartra has described playing with Messi as ‘one of the best things’ to happen to him in his career, with the defender winning five La Liga titles and two UEFA Champions Leagues with the Catalan.
Indeed, Bartra’s praise for Messi is perhaps unsurprising given how long the duo played with each other at Barcelona, and the 33-year-old defender reuniting with the former Camp Nou superstar would be quite the story.
Bartra said: “It’s one of the best things that happened to me in my career, sharing a dressing room with him for many years, it’s incredible, it’s a continuous learning experience as a professional, and above all, as a teammate, in the end, he’s the best player in history for me and for many people.”
Who else have Inter Miami been linked with this winter?
As well as Bartra, Inter Miami’s name has popped up quite a lot in the English and Spanish-speaking world of soccer transfer rumors, with the Herons set for a very busy few weeks under Mascherano.
Lanus goalkeeper Nahuel Losada has emerged as a potential replacement for Drake Callender, whilst Mascherano is believed to be interested in signing Angel Di Maria for Inter Miami in January.
With Paulo Dybala also a surprise target for Inter Miami, next month is bound to be an exciting one for the Herons in the market, and a big-name signing or two could be made ahead of the 2025 MLS season.