Inter Miami Transfer Rumors: MLS Champions Plot Move to Unite 29-Year-Old Argentina Star With Lionel Messi
Fresh off a Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup victory, Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami are currently in the process of strengthening key areas of their squad. And, they have earmarked one of Messi’s international teammates as a transfer target.
So, who is the mystery man and what are the conditions for a potential move?
Messi’s Club Keen To Snap Up New Midfielder
According to El Correo de Andalucia (via MARCA), Inter Miami are aiming to sign Real Betis midfielder Giovani Lo Celso to increase the chances of retaining the MLS Cup in 2026. They have been told to meet the asking price of $6 million for the potential sale of the star.
Lo Celso, who has a deal until June 2028 at Real Betis, could be sold as his club are hoping to lighten the wage bill this season. Moreover, the 29-year-old is also believed to consider a potential move to Messi’s side an attractive prospect.
The 65-cap Argentine international has started 13 of his 20 appearances in all competitions for Real Betis in the 2025-26 campaign. He has found the back of the net twice and laid out as many assists this term, operating in a number 10 role.
Should Lo Celso secure a transfer to the Messi-led outfit next month, he would emerge as a key starter for them. He would partner Rodrigo De Paul, who recently left Atletico Madrid in a deal worth $18 million, in the centre of the park.
READ MORE: Inter Miami To Put Grass at Chase Stadium on Sale
Ex-Inter Miami Star Reveals ‘Nasty’ Side of Messi
Former Inter Miami and New York Red Bulls star Lewis Morgan has revealed that Messi was apparently infuriated during the Herons’ 6-2 MLS win over the Red Bulls back in May 2024.
“Messi’s the best player ever. And he showed it that day. I describe it as he was playing angrily in the second half. And when he’s angry, you don’t want to be on the other side. We were 1-0 up at half time, then he just flicked a switch. Before we knew it, it was 6-1 to Miami. Messi scored and got five assists,” Morgan told the Daily Record (via GOAL).
Morgan continued, “You could just tell that he’s got that nasty side, that mentality to switch whenever he needs to. He’s not afraid to put a foot in or get involved in 50-50s or play the mind games, just to give a bit of verbals back to the opposition and get in some guys’ heads.”
Messi, who has won two back-to-back MLS Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, contributed 29 goals and 19 assists in just 28 MLS appearances for Inter Miami in the 2025 season.
