Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul is on his way to join Inter Miami, coming from Atlético de Madrid, through a loan agreement with an option to buy, according to sources close to the negotiation.
De Paul, who currently plays for Atlético de Madrid, would arrive in MLS with a short-term contract, with the possibility of signing a multi-year agreement with the American club.
Jorge Mas, co-owner of Inter Miami, traveled to Madrid earlier this month to initiate negotiations between both parties.
The incorporation of De Paul is part of Inter Miami’s strategy to strengthen its squad, both on and off the field.
The midfielder will leave Atletico Madrid with one year remaining on his contract, becoming a free agent in June 2026.
Initially, De Paul will not occupy a Designated Player spot at Inter Miami, as those positions are currently held by Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets. However, if a Designated Player spot were to become available at the end of his loan, Inter Miami could offer him a more extensive contract.
Regarding Messi’s future in Miami, contract talks between the player and the club continue, with both parties interested in extending their relationship beyond 2025.
Conversations to extend Busquets’ contract with Inter Miami have not yet begun, but the door remains open for the player.
The arrival of De Paul comes after Inter Miami’s participation in the Club World Cup, where the team finished second in the group stage, before losing to Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16.
The team returns to action in MLS and will participate in the Leagues Cup on July 30.
De Paul was part of the Argentine team that won the 2022 World Cup, as well as the Copa América in 2021 and 2024.
He moved to the Spanish capital in July 2021 from Udinese of Serie A, in a deal worth 35 million euros (40.6 million dollars), and has played 187 games in that period, scoring 14 goals and providing 26 assists.
