Luis Suarez ‘on verge of joining Lionel Messi at Inter Miami’ as David Beckham closes in on another stunning transfer
LIONEL MESSI is set to be reunited with former team-mate Luis Suarez in a sensational move.
Suarez, 36, is on the verge of joining Messi in Miami according to journalist Gaston Edul.
Suarez had been plying his trade for Brazilian Serie A side Gremio but looks set to swap Brazil for Miami to link up with his old strike partner.
The deal follows Lionel Messi‘s official unveiling as an Inter Miami player last night where he was presented to a star-studded crowd by David Beckham.
The two have remained close since their Barcelona days and Miami have been keen to reunite the pair all summer.
But Suarez had previously poured water on the prospect of a move to the States, insisting he was happy at Gremio which is located close to his homeland of Uruguay.
Speaking on previous speculation linking him with a move to Miami, Suarez said: “This is false, it is impossible,
“‘I am very happy at Gremio and I have a contract until 2024.”
But after a breakthrough in negotiations with Miami a deal now looks to be close.
Miami have been linked with a number of Messi’s ex-Barcelona team-mates following his move from PSG.
The club, who currently sit bottom of the MLS table have been linked with moves for Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba as they look to lean in to their new Messi-influenced image.
Whoever they bring in, the club will have to be careful to comply with the MLS’ designated player rule which only permits signing three players on wages that exceed a franchise’s salary cap.
The club last week terminated the contract of midfielder Rodolfo Pizzarro in order to make room for the signing of Messi.
Their two other designated players are captain Gregore and forward Leonardo Campana – one will have to go to make room for Suarez.
Suarez left Atletico Madrid for his Uruguayan boyhood club Nacional in 2022 – where he bagged eight goals and three assists in 20 games.
He then made the surprise move to Gremio where he scored 13 times and assisted nine as the team won a state championship.
Gremio President Alberto Guerra had speculated that Suarez might retire at the conclusion of his Gremio contract in 2024, saying: “Suarez is reaching the limit, in order to be able to play he gives himself almost daily injections and special treatments, he is in constant pain.
“It is serious. Suarez has the possibility of being fitted with a prosthesis.”
But for now the striker now looks set to continue playing, with reports in Argentina suggesting his Inter Miami move is imminent.