By Nick Allen: There is little doubt that Inter Miami CF are targeting a number of big-name players after the team began their first ever MLS season in March 2020. With David Beckham as co-owner of the club, expectations are certainly high. Over the past few months we’ve heard names like Ronaldo, Messi and Bale; but how likely are they to really move stateside? Here is our definitive list of possible marquee signings:
James Rodriquez
Reasons for a move to Inter Miami CF:
- James is currently out of favor at Real Madrid
- No Champions League club has currently made an offer for James
- Cultural Fit; James has often vacationed in Miami
- Beckham has already contacted Florentino Perez
Reasons against a move to Inter Miami CF:
- James, at 28 years of age, may still want to prove himself in Europe
- Everton have shown an interest in the Colombian midfielder. Premier League football may still prove a draw for James, who has played in Spain, Germany, France and Portugal.
We think this may be the most likely of all the big-names that Inter Miami CF have been linked with. This would also be much more than a marketing success, the attacking midfielder is still in his prime. James scored 37 goals and registered 42 assists in his 124 games for Los Blancos. This season however he has only made seven appearances in La Liga.
Gareth Bale
Reasons for a move to Inter Miami CF:
- Bale’s popularity at the Bernabeu has been on the wane for some time
- The Welshman has expressed an interest in moving to the US in interviews
- At 30 years old, and with a history of injuries, Bale may fancy a move to a less strenuous league and a warmer climate
- A move to his old club, Tottenham Hotspur, appears to have fallen through
Reasons against a move to Inter Miami CF:
- His age may also be a reason not to move. The Welshman has still show he has pace and has exhibited flashes, last season, of the world-class footballer he once was
- The forward is currently on €14.5 million a year, which could prove too much for an MLS team – even one owned by Beckham
We think that the potential wages that Bale’s agent will demand will prove too high for Inter Miami, as well as a number of other clubs. You have to remember that Bale is injury prone, so any high investment will be a risk. Also – with his lack of popularity at Real Madrid – we can’t see that he will be a valuable marketing asset. The Welshman has often been maligned for preferring golf over his football. With Miami’s famous golf facilities we can’t see a drastic change to that image!
Edinson Cavani
Reasons for a move to Inter Miami CF:
- Inter Miami’s joint owner, Jorge Mas, confirmed in January that he had held talks with the PSG front man.
- Cavani’s contract will end this summer.
- Att 33-years old the Uruguayan may consider a move to the MLS
Reasons against a move to Inter Miami CF:
- The striker has a number of suitors from Europe’s top leagues. Inter Milan have been named by sportsbooks in the US as the most likely club to secure a deal with the ex-Napoli striker.
It would be an incredible signing, the Uruguayan striker has scored an impressive 341 goals in 556 games during his career. However we think this an unlikely move, at least for this season, but we certainly would not rule it out in the future.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Reasons for a move to Inter Miami CF:
- A Beckham – Ronaldo matchup would be a marketers dream
- At 35 years of age, the Portuguese may fancy a new challenge in a league with less games
Reasons against a move to Inter Miami CF:
- The striker will have no-end of teams eager to sign arguably the best soccer player in the world.
- The Portuguese striker will no doubt feel he has another season or two left in him playing for a top European team.
This is a very unlikely transfer. A mere mortal at 35 may dream of seeing their career out whilst hanging out with Beckham in Miami, but the Portuguese-striker appears fitter than ever. We expect this may happen someday, but not this season.
The 2020 season
Inter Miami CF’s season was put on hold after only two fixtures. They lost their first match to LAFC 1-0, with the Mexican striker, Carlos Vela, netting the winner just before half-time. They then lost their second against D.C United 2-1 after Torres was sent off in the 54th minute. Bet365, one of the many New Jersey sportsbooks offering odds on the MLS, have LAFC as the favorites to win the MLS season.
The MLS is scheduled to restart on June 8th, but this is expected to change.