TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS:Report
Inter Miami are hard at work building their inaugural roster for the 2020 season, but a new report suggests they are stepping up in their quest to add a star by making an offer for one of South America's top young players.
Radio reports out of South America on Wednesday claim Inter Miami have made an offer for Argentine midfielder Exequiel Palacios, and could beat out German club Bayer Leverkusen if their offer was successful.
A report from Argentina's TNT Sports claims Inter Miami are willing to pay $23 million, which would shatter the MLS record for a transfer fee. Atlanta United have paid the two highest transfer fees in MLS history, with Ezequiel Barco costing a reported $15 million two years ago and Pity Martinez – another River Plate star – heading north for a reported $14 million last offseaosn. In contrast, Leverkusen's bid is said to be $18 million.
Palacios, 21, is one of the stars of the River Plate team that has gone to back-to-back Copa Libertadores finals the last two years, winning the continent's top club title in 2018. Palacios came through River Plate's system, playing under former D.C. United player Marcelo Gallardo, since making his first-team debut in 2015, and he's a full Argentina international, making four appearances since getting his first call-up in 2018.
Inter Miami have yet to announce their first head coach, but the club has already picked up a trio of promising youth South Americans, in Argentines Julian Carranza and Matias Pellegrini and Venezuelan Christian Makoun.
