Inter Miami have been busy this off-season with key players in Diego Gomez and Leonardo Campana departing Chase Stadium.
After a mixed year under Tata Martino, Javier Mascherano has taken over at Inter Miami with the Argentine coach set for his first major role in club management, where the 40-year-old will reunite with former FC Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets.
With Mascherano having plans to sign Angel Di Maria and Neymar still a target for Inter Miami, big things are seemingly in the works for the Herons heading into the January transfer window, especially after the club-record sale of Gomez to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Yet Inter Miami could be about to sanction another major departure in the coming weeks.
Inter Miami ‘expected’ to trade Julian Gressel this winter
Speaking to MLS’s official website, the league expert noted how Inter Miami are bracing themselves for the ‘expected’ departure of Gressel just one year after the Herons signed the two-time MLS Cup winner.
Gressel was lauded by Bradley Wright-Phillips for his ‘exceptiona’ performances for Inter Miami as the USA international became one of Martino’s most important players, with the midfielder an undroppable member of the starting XI.
| Julian Gressel’s 2024 Inter Miami stats | Games played | Goals | Assists |
| MLS/MLS play-offs | 32 | 1 | 9 |
| Leagues Cup | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| CONCACAF Champions Cup | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 40 | 1 | 10 |
Playing close to 3,000 minutes in all competitions, only Busquets, Jordi Alba and Tomas Aviles played more for Inter Miami in 2024 than Gressel of those who are outfield players, with the 31-year-old even wearing the armband on some occasions for the Herons.
However, with Inter Miami under new management, the decision to allow Gressel to leave could be one that allows Mascherano to build a squad in his image around Messi, though the expected trade could leave supporters fuming.
Inter Miami risk angering fans if Gressel is traded
Taylor Twellman praised Inter Miami’s acquisition of Gressel back when the versatile midfielder joined at the start of the year, and the former Columbus Crew and Atlanta United star showed why he was such a good signing for the Herons under Martino.
The six-time USA international was a jack-of-all-trades utility man for Inter Miami as the 31-year-old became a regular for the Florida franchise, with Beckham even praising Gressel during this year’s pre-season tour.
And Gressel leaving Florida with rumors also suggesting that Drake Callender could be replaced at Inter Miami will anger supporters given how good the former DC United star has been for the Herons, with the midfielder offering something few can provide in MLS.