Leandro Gonzalez Pirez reportedly won’t return to Inter Miami, with River Plate set to make the defender’s loan spell permanent.
The 31-year-old centre-back joined the Argentine giants on a two-year loan deal last January, with River Plate holding an option to buy Gonzalez Pirez.
12 months into the loan deal, and River Plate have been pleased with what they have seen from Gonzalez Pirez, with the defender making 36 appearances in all competitions.
And according to TyC Sports, River Plate have now taken up the option to sign Gonzalez Pirez for good, a deal that could be worth as much as $500,000.
As per the report, Inter Miami manager Tata Martino was eager to bring the defender back to Florida having worked with Gonzalez Pirez at Atlanta United, where the pair won MLS Cup together.
However, due to poor judgement from Inter Miami’s front office last year, Martino now won’t have the chance to coach Gonzalez Pirez again, with the defender exactly what the Herons are looking for.
Inter Miami have made a huge mistake in selling Leandro Gonzalez Pirez to River Plate
Hindsight can be everything in soccer, and Inter Miami should have known last year that selling Gonzalez Pirez was going to probably come back to bite them.
This January will be all about signing a top defender who can plug the holes that are so obvious for everyone to see in Inter Miami’s backline.
And Gonzalez Pirez under Martino would have done just that, with the centre-back having a great relationship with the Inter Miami manager during their time together in Atlanta.
Indeed, Inter Miami have fumbled massively with this deal, and Gonzalez Pirez could have been one of the missing pieces of the puzzle for the Herons next season had he returned this winter.