Inter Miami have been busy this off-season with the Herons appointing a new manager in Javier Mascherano and allowing some big-name players to leave.
Leonardo Campana was traded to the New England Revolution a few weeks after Diego Gomez’s transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion was confirmed, with Inter Miami reportedly recouping a club-record transfer fee for the Paraguay international.
With Inter Miami also allowing Nicolas Freire to return to Tigres from his loan spell, central defense is a position that the Herons have to sign players for in the winter transfer window, with Sergii Kryvtsov also departing Florida.
Yet Inter Miami are seemingly making moves to bring in a new defender this off-season.
Inter Miami have asked River Plate about signing Paulo Diaz
According to River Noticias, Inter Miami have approached River Plate about potentially signing Chile international Paulo Diaz, who the Argentine giants are believed to be open to selling in the January market.
As per the report, the 30-year-old center-back is keen to join Inter Miami and to play alongside Lionel Messi, with Diaz also ready for a new challenge in his career having been a regular for River Plate for the last five years.
A 52-cap international with Chile, Diaz could be the second defender Inter Miami sign from River Plate after the acquisition of David Martinez earlier this year, with the Paraguay international making a solid impression during his time so far at Chase Stadium.
And with Diaz now an option for Inter Miami, the Herons should be doing all they can to sign the defender as soon as possible, with the center-back exactly the sort of player the Florida franchise should be looking at in January.
What other defenders are Inter Miami reportedly interested in?
Inter Miami’s defensive record in MLS last season makes for worrying reading, to say the least, with the Herons managing just six clean sheets as the backline suffered from injuries and numerous changes.
Which is why Mascherano’s side have been linked with an interesting array of defenders heading into January, with Real Betis center-back Marc Bartra believed to be a target for Inter Miami as the Supporters’ Shield holders look to add another former FC Barcelona star to their ranks.
Indeed, Inter Miami are fully aware that they need to build from the back if they’re to achieve their goals in 2025, and signing the likes of Diaz and Bartra will be key to their success heading into the new year.