Vidal, Almendra linked to Inter Miami as MLS transfer window set to open Aug. 12
Inter Miami continues shopping for a pair of elite attacking players and hopes to sign at least one during the next MLS transfer window, which opens Aug. 12.
Among the veteran players linked to Miami is 33-year-old Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal, a proven winner who has played more than 100 games for the Chilean national team and played in two World Cups. He played for Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus andBayern Munich before joining Barcelona. Vidal is under contract until next summer, but it is possible Miami could work out a deal to get him earlier.
Chelsea and Inter Milan have also reportedly been eyeing Vidal in recent months.
Argentine rising star Agustin Almendra, a 20-year-old midfielder with Boca Juniors, has been in talks with Miami since before the season and could still wind up making the move. Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas said in February that the team was “very close” to getting Almendra on loan, but talks seemed to have stalled during the coronavirus crisis.
European clubs Valencia, Roma, and Napoli have also shown interest in Almendra.
Rumors have been swirling about a lucrative offer from Miami to Chelsea’s Brazilian winger Willian, but the latest reports from England say he is finalizing a three-year deal with Arsenal for $130,000 a week.
Manchester City star David Silva has also been linked to Inter Miami for nearly a year, but he might choose to play in his native Spain or in Italy with Lazio. Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez, another potential target for Miami, is reportedly headed to Atletico Madrid.
Meanwhile, MLS is expected to announce in the coming days its plan to resume the regular season at home stadiums in late-August. The MLS is Back Tournament final in Orlando is Aug. 11, and the regular season would start up again the weekend of Aug. 21. There is a possibility some markets would allow a limited number of spectators in stadiums.
MLS commissioner Don Garber said on Fox Soccer Wednesday night: “We will get back to our markets. We’ll be announcing our schedule soon. We are going to be able to play with fans where we can and not play with fans in most of our markets.
“We learned a lot in the [Orlando]) bubble. We learned about testing. We learned about the incredible commitment of our players, wearing masks and social distancing and taking real responsibility for keeping themselves safe. And that will give us a sense of what we need to do to finish the season, have playoffs and have an MLS Cup before the end of the year.”
