Inter Miami announced their first slate of winter moves earlier this week, with Nicolas Freire one of the players departing Florida.
The Argentine defender’s loan deal with the Herons can to an end with the center-back returning to Mexican giants Puma heading into 2025, with Freire announcing on Instagram his departure from Inter Miami.
With Javier Mascherano interested in signing Nicolas Otamendi for Inter Miami, Freire’s exit will open a valuable international slot for the Chase Stadium side to bring in a new defender who could be ready in time for the new MLS season next year.
And Pumas already have a plan for what they want to do with Freire in 2025.
Freire to be given a chance at Pumas after Inter Miami loan
According to Fox Sports, Pumas manager Gustavo Lema is eager to give Freire a chance having returned from Inter Miami, with the Argentine defender even in with a shot having a new contract offered to him if he performs well in the new year.
Freire’s current contract with Pumas is due to expire in the summer, with the report stating that the Argentine defender won’t be short of suitors having impressed at Inter Miami this year despite picking up an ACL injury in May.
Indeed, the center-back’s injury for the Herons was so devastating that MLS expert Matt Doyle claimed that Inter Miami would struggle in the play-offs without Freire, a prediction that became true for the Florida franchise.
And with Freire set to return to the field in the coming months, there’s a good chance that the defender could reinvent himself having missed over six months of action due to his ACL injury, a sight that every Inter Miami fan will want to see.
Who could Inter Miami sign to replace Freire in January?
Freire’s departure leaves a sizeable hole in Inter Miami’s squad, with the Herons also announcing the departure of Ukrainian defender Sergii Kryvtsov, leaving Mascherano short with center-backs.
With Otamendi an option already, though, it’s clear that the Herons are ready to spend big on a top defender this January, with Marc Bartra also reportedly on Inter Miami’s transfer radar this winter.
Indeed, Inter Miami are not short of options when it comes to new center-back signings, and a revamp of the backline is needed if the Florida franchise are to go all the way in MLS Cup next year as well as compete at the FIFA Club World Cup.