Rodrigo De Paul Poised to Unite with Inter Miami CF in Record-Breaking Move from Atlético Madrid

Deal on the Horizon

Inter Miami CF is poised to acquire Rodrigo De Paul from Atlético Madrid. Reports from TyC Sports indicate that an agreement has been reached between the two clubs. The Major League Soccer (MLS) team has also finalized personal terms with De Paul. The 31-year-old midfielder is anticipated to sign a four-year deal with the club, with the transfer fee estimated at around €15 million. The deal is expected to be finalized ahead of the MLS secondary transfer window opening on July 24. Once completed, De Paul—who has a market value of €25 million—will become the most valuable player in MLS and the third most expensive signing in league history.

De Paul will also set the record as the highest-priced player in Inter Miami’s history. This move comes as a bit of a shock, considering De Paul was a regular starter at Atlético Madrid under Diego Simeone during the 2024/25 season, contributing three goals and ten assists in 53 matches across all competitions. Atlético Madrid has been quite active in the transfer market this summer, having already signed Álex Baena from Villarreal, USMNT’s Johnny Cardoso from Real Betis, and reaching an agreement to sign Thiago Almada from Botafogo.

With De Paul’s contract set to expire at the end of the season, he felt it was an opportune time for a new challenge. A significant factor in this decision was his connection with Argentina teammate Lionel Messi, who has long advocated for the need for a more physical defensive midfielder. However, the financial implications regarding the MLS salary cap must also be considered. Currently, Inter Miami has three Designated Players on their roster: Messi, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets. For De Paul’s signing to fit within the cap, one of those spots would need to be opened. While Alba is tied to a contract until 2027, both Busquets and Messi have deals expiring at the season’s end, though discussions are ongoing for Messi to extend his contract for at least another year.

Rodrigo De Paul to Inter Miami – A Potential Replacement for Busquets?

Why is Inter Miami pursuing De Paul? The main goal for owners Jorge Mas and David Beckham is to sustain the club’s competitive ambition. The leadership in Miami was encouraged by their performance at the FIFA Club World Cup but recognizes the challenges ahead in closing the gap with the elite leagues in Europe and South America. Adding talented players is crucial for competing in MLS and continental tournaments like the Concacaf Champions Cup.

In terms of roster dynamics, De Paul could become a pivotal addition to the team. While negotiations with Messi about a contract extension continue, Busquets’ situation remains uncertain. The Spanish midfielder will turn 37 in mid-July and has faced challenges with pace this season in MLS, the Champions Cup, and the Club World Cup. There’s a possibility the 2014 World Cup champion may retire after this season, potentially opening up a Designated Player slot and necessitating Miami to recruit another top-tier midfielder. How the salary cap will accommodate this deal remains unclear, but MLS clubs have demonstrated creativity in the past when integrating star players within the financial constraints.