Inter Miami’s January transfer window has been an interesting one even with the Herons managing just one signing so far.
Inter Miami’s capture for Fafa Picault remains the only transfer the Florida franchise have completed this month, with pre-season well underway for new manager Javier Mascherano ahead of what is going to be an exciting year for the reigning Supporters’ Shield holders.
With Inter Miami closing in on Gonzalo Lujan from San Lorenzo in a deal worth $800,000 as well as Venezuela international Telasco Segovia, deals are in the works for the Chase Stadium side, with their first pre-season fixtures just around the corner.
And Inter Miami are now close to yet another signing in the window.
Inter Miami agree loan deal for Lanus youngster Rocco Rios Novo
According to Fortaleza Granate, Inter Miami have reached a season-long loan agreement with Lanus for Argentina youth international Rocco Rios Novo, who will join to provide cover and depth in the goalkeeping position.
Fortaleza Granate posted: “Another addition to the Inter Miami squad is Rocco Rios Novo, a goalkeeper who extended his contract for another year with Lanus and is going on loan until December to Leo Messi’s team. Mascherano knows him from Argentina’s youth teams.”
Rios Novo is a name that will sound familiar to MLS fans after the Los Angeles-born shot-stopper made quite a name for himself on loan with Atlanta United in both MLS and the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Despite impressing at the highest level in the United States, Rios Novo has struggled to break into Lanus’ first-team, with Inter Miami target Nahuel Losada set to remain the Argentina club’s no. 1 goalkeeper for 2025, with the Herons now turning to the 22-year-old as their shot-stopper signing for January.
Could Rios Novo become Inter Miami’s new no. 1 this year?
Inter Miami replacing Drake Callender felt almost impossible heading into 2025 with the USA international one of the club’s most consistent players and a reason behind the Herons’ impressive rise in the last 18 months.
But with Callender linked with an Inter Miami exit and Mascherano seemingly keen on upgrading the position for next season, there’s a real chance that Rios Novo could become the new no. 1 at Chase Stadium if given the chance.
After all, the youngster impressed during his brief stint at Atlanta and has worked with Mascherano before with Argentina’s various youth teams, and Rios Novo could establish himself as a more natural option between the sticks than Callender if an opportunity were to arise.