A Major League Soccer club owned by David Beckham was always going to attract attention, even without star players. But according to reports, Inter Miami are looking to add marquee names to their squad ahead of their debut campaign in 2020.
MLS has changed in recent years. Once a retirement home for former world-class players, now it is filled with a blend of exciting South American talent, homegrown starlets and seasoned veterans who have plenty to give.
It’s more competitive than ever before and if Inter Miami are to make a splash they’re going to need a poster boy known across the world to spearhead the team.
Unlike other MLS outfits, this particular franchise has an advantage. The chance to lead a team owned by Beckham to glory is hard to ignore. Living in Miami isn’t a bad perk of the job, either.
So we’ve decided to take a look at five potential marquee signings for the club. Some have already been linked, others are likely to be on the MLS franchise's radar.
Edinson Cavani
According to reports in Italy, the Uruguayan goalscoring sensation has already been sounded out over a potential switch to Inter Miami.
Cavani turns 33 this year and is heading into the twilight of his career, but he’s still got a lot to offer. He scored 23 goals for Paris Saint-Germain last term and already has two in three this term.
The prolific forward has a quite remarkable record of 195 goals in 282 appearances for the Ligue 1 giants.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is 38 next month but he’s still bossing teams in MLS, there’s no reason the former Napoli man can’t have a similar impact.
While he wouldn’t be a long-term investment, he does have the potential to lead the line for the club for the next four or five years. He’d add experience, quality and a reliable goal threat.
He could be an invaluable asset to the fledgeling franchise.
Luis Suárez
Similar in many ways to his compatriot Cavani, Suárez is no spring chicken but he’s still doing a job for one of the best teams in Europe.
For seven successive seasons, the Uruguay international has scored 25 goals or more in all competitions. He’s got the quality to deliver in the U.S for the next couple of years at the very least.
His versatility and mentality would make him a shrewd signing. Not only can be he play multiple positions across the attack, but he’s also got the win at all costs attitude which is infectious and is exactly what a new franchise needs to get off to a good start.
Suárez is also a global superstar with the potential to get many eyes on Inter Miami. Very few clubs in MLS go shopping at Barcelona but convincing the Catalan club's No.9 to leave the Camp Nou would be a massives statement of intent.
James Rodríguez
The star of the 2014 World Cup, the Colombian was one of the biggest talents in world football. Real Madrid made a move to make him their No.10 but it's not worked.
A two-year loan spell with Bayern Munich didn't come good, either. Rodríguez wasn't able to get a move away from Los Blancos this summer despite rumoured interest from Juventus, Napoli and Atlético Madrid. He's still very much a desirable asset.
The 28-year-old can still deliver for a top European side but might want a fresh start and Inter Miami would be the perfect move. Why? He'd once again be the main man in a team, appreciated by fans, the manager and the league.
The poster boy of the Colombia international team could be a transformative signing, not just for the team but for the league in general.
Dries Mertens
Not as high profile as the aforementioned forwards but the Belgian could be the smartest purchase.
Mertens turns 33 this year but the Napoli star remains at his effective best. He netted 20 in all competitions last season, 22 the year before and an impressive 34 in 2016/17.
He's one for one this term but with the arrival of Hirving Lozano, Mertens game time may be a bit limited in the remainder of the campaign, and that is likely to make him open to a move elsewhere.
He's not a star name, or someone to build a franchise around, but Mertens is a consistent menace in the final third and a player who will win matches almost single-handedly.
If Inter Miami are interested in winning and not just building a brand then Mertens should definitely be one that they explore.
Willian
Courted by the likes of Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, Willian is an undervalued talent. The Chelsea No.10 delivers for both club and country and is a consistent performer.
The 31-year-old might not be the sexiest of names but he could be low-key one of the best additions the club could make. There won't be much fanfare following him and it's unlikely to lead to improved sponsorship details for Inter Miami, but on the pitch, he could be a game-changer and he's a potential match-winner.
A Brazil international. A serial winner. He's still got a lot to offer and plenty of years left in the tank. Out of contract next summer, he could be a shrew pick up.
