Inter Miami can sign highly-rated defender for free as Lionel Messi-led MLS side look to bolster squad - Reports

Inter Miami may reportedly be able to sign center-back Gonzalo Lujan as a free agent to add quality to Lionel Messi's supporting cast this month. The Herons are undergoing a bit of a rebuild as they look to build on their Supporters' Shield triumph from the 2024 season.

Javier Mascherano has just over a month before he takes charge of his first MLS game as Inter Miami head coach, and he has his targets in sight to strengthen their roster. Argentina U-23 international Lujan is one, as the San Lorenzo star has been mentioned as a target to replace Nicolas Freire, who moved to Independiente in the off-season.

A report from DiarioOle has revealed that Mascherano may be able to get his hands on his target as a free agent due to a dispute between Lujan and San Lorenzo. The 23-year-old is reportedly owed around $200,000 by his club, and an agreement is in place between both parties to terminate his contract if he is not paid by January 6. If the dispute remains unresolved, Inter Miami will be able to add another Argentine to their squad that has Lionel Messi, Federico Redondo, and Tomas Aviles as a free agent.

Lujan is capable of playing as a center-back or right-back and is a well-known player to coach Mascherano. The former Argentina international named the defender as part of the Argentina U-23 squad that lost in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Olympics football event in Paris.

Inter Miami have been active in the transfer market, with Fafà Picault joining the side as a free agent this winter. They also added two players, Bailey Sparks and Michael Appiah, in the MLS SuperDraft, as they look to continue to surround Lionel Messi with quality players.

Lionel Messi loses teammate as star leaves Inter Miami for River Plate

Lionel Messi has lost another of his teammates as Paraguayan forward Matias Rojas has joined Argentine outfit River Plate from Inter Miami. The 29-year-old forward will team up with the Argentine giants after spending less than a year in the MLS.

Rojas joined the club in April, and recorded five goals and two assists in 16 regular season appearances for the Herons. The club had the option to extend his contract for the 2025 and 2026 seasons but declined the option in favor of negotiating fresh terms. An agreement was not reached between both parties, and the Paraguay international has left for Argentina.

Matias Rojas becomes the fourth player to complete a transfer away from the Supporters Shield champions after Nicolas Freire, Leonardo Campana, and Diego Gomez. The Herons will continue to rebuild their squad ahead of the 2025 MLS season, which will commence in February.