MLS
Tata Martino begins the Inter Miami clear out ahead of Messi arrival
Two attacking players are rumoured to be leaving Inter Miami ahead of Messi’s arrival, with LA Galaxy said to be keen on the pair.
Rodolfo Pizarro and Josef Martínez will be the first two players to leave Inter Miami ahead of the arrival of both Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets. The Mexican and Venezuelan are not part of the plans drawn up by incoming manager Gerardo Martino, who will look to move them on.
The new boss of the team, who will arrive and take charge of the side this summer, is trying to make room in his squad for players who can help them as they look to get themselves away from the foot of the Eastern Conference of MLS.
LA Galaxy are said to be interested in Martínez and Pizarro
According to various reports, LA Galaxy are following closely the situation regarding the Inter Miami pair and would be keen on striking a deal. The club are especially interested given that they are under sanction from the league and can only sign players on domestic deals, that is, no players from leagues other than MLS can be registered at the club.
On top of that, the loss of Javier Hernández, who has a knee injury and will be out for the rest of the season, means that proven attackers, such as Josef Martínez are a top priority. Riqui Puig, one of the most creative players in MLS, is seeing increasing minutes and may at some point need to rest, meaning Rodolfo Pizarro is seen as a genuine option.
The two designated players are making space for Messi and Busquets
Rodolfo Pizarro, now 29-years-old, arrived as a designated player for Inter Miami in 2020, the season in which he made his MLS debut. Unfortunately, the player has never been able to show his true level, the one that made him a champion with both Pachuca and Chivas de Guadalajara in Liga MX. Pizarro was sent out on loan last year to Monterrey, but the team ultimately decided not to take up the purchase option they had on the player and he was subsequently sent back to the States.
As for Josef Martínez, he arrived at Miami after the departure of Gonzalo Higuaín, who retired last year. The Venezuelan forward was also signed as a designated player for the entire 2023 season, and with Inter Miami he played 18 times scoring 6 goals and getting 1 assist. His most recent strike for the side came against Colombua Crew in July, where he scored a last minute equaliser to rescue an Inter Miami side that has just 17 points from 20 games. If only Inter Miami could sign the best player in the...