Inter Miami plotting move to sign 30-year-old defender keen on playing alongside Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami are keen on signing Chilean defender Paulo Diaz, as per River Noticias (via Inter Miami News). Diaz has been one of the mainstays of the River Plate backline, having joined them from Al-Ahli in 2019 for a reported transfer fee of €3.60 million.

For Inter Miami, the departure of defenders like Sergiy Kryvtsov and Nicolas Freire has made it important for newly appointed manager Javier Mascherano to bolster the club's backline.

According to the report, Inter Miami have approached River Plate to discuss the potential signing of Paulo Diaz. The Argentine outfit is believed to be open to selling Diaz in the upcoming January transfer window. The report also states that Diaz is keen on playing alongside Lionel Messi at Inter Miami and is looking for a fresh challenge in a new club.

Diaz has played 184 games for Los Millonarios, scoring 11 goals and recording a couple of assists. The 30-year-old has won two league titles (2021, 2023), two Supercopa Argentinas (2020, 2023), one Argentinean Cup (2019), and two Trofeo de Campeones (2021, 2023) with River Plate.

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Manchester City reportedly interested in signing Inter Miami talisman Lionel Messi on a loan deal

Soccer - UEFA Champions League - FC Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich - Source: Getty

According to Tuttosport (via Hindustan Times), Lionel Messi could be heading back to Europe on a loan deal to Premier League giants Manchester City. After Inter Miami's elimination from the MLS, the Argentine genius is currently having an off-season, with MLS action not set to resume until February 2025.

Despite a few injury setbacks, Lionel Messi had a brilliant season for club and country in 2024. La Pulga registered 23 goals and 13 assists across competitions for The Herons, recording a goal contribution every 55 minutes. He also helped them win the MLS Supporters' Shield - the club's first since its inception in 2018. Lionel Messi ended the season as MVP of the regular season.

Manchester City, meanwhile, are languishing at seventh in the Premier League table with 27 points in 17 games - 12 points below league leaders Liverpool. They have lost seven and registered a solitary win against Nottingham Forest in their last ten games. Additionally, Pep Guardiola is having to deal with injuries to crucial players like Rodri, Oscar Bobb, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, and Nathan Ake.

As per Tuttosport's report, the Spanish tactician is interested in signing Lionel Messi to reverse the club's fortunes. The two formed an iconic partnership during Guardiola's time in Barcelona, where Messi registered 211 goals and 94 assists in 219 games across competitions.

The duo also won 14 trophies at La Blaugrana, including two Champions Leagues, two FIFA Club World Cups, three La Ligas, two UEFA Super Cups, two Spanish Cups, and three Supercopas de Espana.

David Beckham, the owner of Inter Miami, will reportedly not block the transfer.