Inter Miami’s winter transfer overhaul is well underway, with the Herons this week announcing the surprise departure of Leonardo Campana.
One of the Florida franchise’s three Designated Players, the Ecuador international was traded to the New England Revolution as Campana penned a tearful farewell message to Inter Miami supporters after three hugely successful years at the club.
With Campana training early this winter to impress new Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano, the trade has come as a shock to many, with the former Wolves striker one of Tata Martino’s most trusted players this year in MLS.
Yet the transfer decision could end up being an important one for Inter Miami given what Campana’s departure now does for squad dynamics.
Why Leonardo Campana’s departure is good for Inter Miami
As mentioned, Campana was one of Inter Miami’s three Designated Players alongside Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets, with the 24-year-old on a contract that means the Herons were allowed to pay the striker as much as they wanted without being limited to MLS’s strict salary rules.
With Campana now off Inter Miami’s books, the Herons have freed-up Designated Player spot, an incredibly valuable asset in this new era of MLS where superstar signings are likely to make a comeback after last year’s arrival of Messi.
Indeed, with Inter Miami linked with the likes of Neymar and Mascherano keen on signing Angel Di Maria, Campana’s departure has opened up a tonne of possibilities for what the Herons can do in the January transfer market.
And although the striker will be missed with former Inter Miami defender Kieran Gibbs lauding Campana as ‘top-quality’, the forward’s exit from Chase Stadium opens up a real avenue for the Florida franchise to make a signing that could take them to the next level alongside Messi.
Who could Inter Miami sign in January?
With a free Designated Player spot now open, the world is virtually Inter Miami’s oyster, with the Herons now not limited to what their current salary space allows when it comes to signing a new superstar player.
And beyond the usual names like Neymar and Di Maria, there’s a real chance that the Florida franchse could set another benchmark in MLS by signing a truly world-class player, with Inter Miami believed to be interested in Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah.
Inter Miami and MLS have never been as appealing as they are now, and Mascherano will want to use his contacts in the game to bring in a player who could take the reigning Supporters’ Shield champions to the next level in the January transfer window.