Miami, USA – Inter Miami are reportedly on the verge of completing the high-profile signing of Argentine World Cup winner Rodrigo de Paul, with the deal expected to be sealed and officially announced in the upcoming days.
Sources close to the negotiations indicate that an initial agreement with Atlético Madrid has been in place for the past 10 days, allowing for the fine-tuning of final details with all parties involved.
This period of clarification is now reaching its conclusion, paving the way for the transfer of the dynamic midfielder to Major League Soccer.
As previously reported, Inter Miami and de Paul have a verbal agreement in principle on a four-year contract, signaling his desire to reunite with Lionel Messi and other former Barcelona stars in South Florida.
The transfer fee from Atlético Madrid is understood to be in the region of €15 million plus add-ons, a figure Atlético was reportedly willing to accept given de Paul’s contract situation and his wish for a new challenge.
One of the key aspects that Inter Miami has been working to clarify is how de Paul’s arrival will impact their Designated Player (DP) spots. MLS rules allow each team to have up to three DPs whose salaries exceed the league’s salary cap.
Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets currently occupy these spots for Inter Miami.
However, reports suggest that de Paul’s initial arrangement might be structured to avoid immediate DP classification, possibly through a loan that transitions into a permanent deal, or by utilizing other mechanisms such as Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) or a future DP slot opening up. Sergio Busquets’ contract, for instance, expires at the end of the current season, which could free up a slot.
The anticipation is building among Inter Miami fans, as the addition of de Paul would significantly strengthen their midfield and further enhance the star power of their squad.
His tenacity, work rate, and undeniable chemistry with Messi are expected to make him an instant impact player for the Herons as they push for silverware.
The next few days are crucial as all parties work towards the final “here we go” for one of the summer’s most exciting transfers.
