Inter Miami’s pre-season preparations are well underway, with the Herons taking part in their first friendly this weekend.
An entertaining 2-2 draw saw teenager Santiago Morales win Inter Miami the game on penalties, with Javier Mascherano also giving new signings Rocco Rios Novo and Fafa Picault their unofficial debuts for the Florida franchise.
With Inter Miami also recruiting Gonzalo Lujan, Telasco Segovia and Tadeo Allende before heading out to Las Vegas, the squad is starting to look healthy ahead of the 2025 MLS season next month, where the Herons will want to go all the in the play-offs.
And the winter spending is seemingly not done yet for Inter Miami.
Inter Miami tracking River Plate talent Santiago Simon
According to River Noticias, Inter Miami are keeping tabs on River Plate midfielder Santiago Simon, who could leave the Argentina giants this January if a club were to activate the 22-year-old’s $20m release clause.
Inter Miami have been linked with Simon with the Herons also interested in River Plate attacker Pablo Solari as Javier Mascherano continues to look at players the new Chase Stadium manager worked with during his time with Argentina’s youth sides.
And Simon is one such talent who played under Mascheranho, with the youngster already establishing himself as a Jack of All Trades type player having transformed from playing as a winger to an all-action central midfielder.
Indeed, Simon would add considerable depth to Inter Miami’s midfield and wide-attacking options, yet at $20m, the Florida franchise will need to break the MLS transfer record to recruit the youngster this January.
Who else could Inter Miami sign this January?
Inter Miami have done pretty well this January when it comes to making new signings, with five recruits through the front door and more likely to following with some weeks still remaining before the transfer window closes.
And the Herons could make one or two additions before their next pre-season friendly on January 30th, with Inter Miami set to sign Maximiliano Falcon from Chilean side Colo-Colo, adding more defensive depth to the backline.
Although Inter Miami have ended their interest in Nahuel Ferraresi, the Florida franchise still have the capacity to make a number of big moves in the coming weeks ahead of the 2025 season, where MLS Cup glory will be the main agenda for Mascherano.