Rodrigo De Paul (31, Atletico Madrid) will take the seat next to Lionel Messi (38, Inter Miami).
Fabrizio Romano, a journalist well-versed in the European football transfer market, reported on the 16th (Korea time) that 'Rodrigo De Paul is close to joining Inter Miami.'
De Paul, born in 1994, is an Argentina national midfielder who started his career as an attacking midfielder but settled into a central midfielder after his time at Udinese. He is known for his excellent work rate and stamina, transitioning between defense and attack as a hard worker, and is also famous for providing defensive cover for Lionel Messi in the Argentina national team.
He excels in dribbling and physical battles and possesses the unique speed and breaking ability typical of South American players. During his time at Udinese, he ranked among the top in dribbling success rates, but after transferring to Atletico Madrid, this advantage has significantly decreased. He has strong kicking power, making long-range shots and lofted passes threatening, but he tends to have narrow vision, resulting in frequent passing mistakes. His performance can be quite inconsistent; when his condition is poor, he often attempts excessive dribbles and experiences frequent turnovers, leading to a sharp decline in performance.
Overall, De Paul is a versatile midfielder, but he is the type who relies more on physical strength and willpower than on technique.
Following Romano's report on the 17th, U.S. sports network ESPN explained, 'According to multiple sources confirmed by us, De Paul will join Inter Miami in the form of a short-term loan agreement, which includes an option for a permanent transfer thereafter.'
The media reported, 'This contract is being pursued within the framework of a long-term plan for strengthening the roster and improving the overall quality of the club. The negotiations gained momentum after Inter Miami's co-owner Jorge Mas visited Madrid earlier this month to commence serious discussions.'
De Paul had one year left on his contract with Atletico Madrid, which is valid until June 2026, and with this transfer, he will become a free agent (FA) when the contract expires. ESPN noted, 'During this loan period, De Paul will not be registered as a designated player (DP) for Miami, as the club's three DP slots are currently occupied by Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets. However, if a DP slot becomes available at the end of the loan, Inter Miami can enter into a larger multi-year contract with De Paul.'
De Paul's transfer news to Inter Miami came right after the club completed its participation in the FIFA Club World Cup. Inter Miami finished second in the group stage of this tournament and was eliminated in the round of 16 after losing to the runner-up Paris Saint-Germain. Currently, Inter Miami has resumed its MLS league schedule and is set to begin League Cup play on July 30.
Meanwhile, ESPN explained regarding Messi's situation, 'According to our previous report, Inter Miami and Messi are in negotiations for a contract extension regarding their collaboration beyond 2025, and both sides reportedly hope to maintain their relationship. As for Busquets' contract extension, formal negotiations have yet to begin; however, club owner Mas mentioned in an interview with ESPN last June that 'the door for negotiations is open.'
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