Not content with having already pulled off the coup of a lifetime in landing Lionel Messi, Inter Miami may reunite the Barcelona icon with one another of his former teammates.
The ambitious MLS franchise has already secured the services of departing Camp Nou midfield maestro Sergio Busquets, with the 34-year-old having departed his boyhood club to move stateside. The Herons have been linked with a plethora of household names as club chiefs look to revitalize incoming coach Tata Martino's options.
In truth, it has been nothing short of a season to forget for the South Beach outfit on the pitch so far this term and they currently sit rock bottom of the Western Conference after 20 rounds played. That said, two successive draws will allow supporters to dream that the chance of reaching the playoffs could still be on if Messi's arrival can galvanise the team.
It is likely that the 36-year-old will require some assistance in that regard, with the signing of veteran Spanish international Busquets likely to add some much needed experience and quality in midfield. The rebuild may not stop there, however, with 39-year-old Andres Iniesta potentially the next superstar on Vice City's wishlist, according to Catalan radio station RAC1.
In what would be a sensational move, the World Cup winner could be reunited with his former Blaugrana teammates as well as former head coach Martino at DRV PNK Stadium after his contract ended at Vissel Kobe. The superstar Spaniard made 674 appearances for his boyhood club Barcelona, winning nine La Liga titles as well as four Champions Leagues before departing in 2018.
The silky playmaker, who regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, has played in Japan for the past five years but decided to leave the J League outfit, despite his team being involved in a title chase. After an injury hit season in Japan, however, the star still harbours ambitions of finishing his career while playing regularly.
Speaking after the curtain came down on his stint with a 1-1 draw versus Consadole Sapporo, Iniesta opened up about his struggles after he was limited to just four appearances during 2023. He said: "The last few months have been a really tough period both for me and those close to me."
Reaffirming his desire to continue playing in spite of his fitness issues and advancing years, he added: "I have the desire to retire and close my career while playing on the pitch, and I'm taking my next step in accordance with that emotion."
A move for the midfield genius — named in the FIFPRO World XI on some nine occasions, no less — would certainly be in keeping with the ambtions for more signings expressed by Inter Miami's co-owner in recent times. He previously explained that more reinforcements would be sought over the summer in addition to Messi and Busquets.
Speaking to the Miami Herald previously, the billionaire tycoon asserted: "We will make more signings this summer, more than people expect. We don't have to revolutionize the squad, but I can say we will potentially make between three and five signings."
