The MLS side is still trying to sign the Brazilian star, but knows this is highly unlikely.
“It's always exciting to have a player like Neymar,” Luis Suárez said of his good friend during a press conference.
The Brazilian star's potential move to Inter Miami may be closer than it seems. While the club publicly denies any talks, preparations are being made behind the scenes at Chase Stadium to make room for his arrival.
A race against time unfolds as Miami battles Brazil's Santos to reunite the iconic MSN trio – Messi, Suárez and Neymar – this time in Miami, fulfilling Jorge Mas's dream.
Will Neymar go to Inter Miami?
As previously reported by AS, Neymar's future appears to be drifting away from Saudi Arabia. With his contract set to expire on June 30, he is now free to negotiate his next move. It seems unlikely that Al Hilal, dissatisfied with his performance relative to his astronomical salary, will offer an extension.
In the meantime, Inter Miami, led by Messi and Suárez, has already contacted Neymar's entourage. For now, however, Neymar remains focused on regaining his top form and returning to the pitch.
It's been a busy winter in Miami, with the Chase Stadium offices working tirelessly throughout the transfer window. The club has released key players with high salaries to balance the budget, a move crucial to accommodating a potential superstar. Among these, Leonardo Campana's departure to the New England Revolution is seen as crucial.
His departure will open up a Designated Player (DP) spot, a coveted position for players whose salaries exceed the MLS cap of $683,000 per year. With Messi and Sergio Busquets occupying two of Miami's three DP spots, the puzzle of bringing Neymar is slowly coming together.
What is Neymar's current salary?
Neymar's current salary, reportedly around $100 million per year, poses a significant challenge. Inter Miami cannot pay this amount immediately and would have to adopt a strategy similar to Messi's, with Neymar possibly having to accept a lower salary.
Such a scenario would likely open up sponsorship opportunities, with brands keen to associate their names with Inter Miami and Neymar, just as Apple and Adidas did with Messi's arrival in the United States.
However, as Mascherano himself emphasized, the club remains cautious. “We don't have anything yet. He is a great player and every coach in the world would want him. But we know the MLS rules on the salary cap, and right now that is impossible for us,” the coach said.
Months of meticulous planning and effort lie ahead on the east coast as Inter Miami works to make this dream a reality ahead of the new season, when the pressure will truly mount from the opening minute.
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