Inter Miami are back in the building after a much-needed off-season lay-off with new manager Javier Mascherano now at the helm.
The Argentina coach takes his first step into club management with the Herons with Mascherano reuniting with former FC Barcelona teammates Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, a factor that seemingly helped the 40-year-old land the job.
With Inter Miami already signing Fafa Picault, Mascherano is at work looking to make the signings needed to take the Florida franchise to the next level having only won the Supporters’ Shield last season under Tata Martino.
And Mascherano has said Inter Miami are close to a second signing this January.
Inter Miami ready to announce new goalkeeper this week
Speaking to the press after training this week, the former Argentina U-21 manager confirmed that Inter Miami are close to signing a new goalkeeper this week, with the Herons currently having no senior player for the position.
Regular no.1 Drake Callender is currently with the USA national team on an international training camp whilst Inter Miami allowed both Oscar Ustari and C.J. dos Santos to leave Chase Stadium during the off-season.
And with pre-season friendlies starting this week, Mascherano needs a new senior goalkeeper through the door if Inter Miami are to start off their winter tour with a good result, though a signing appears to be close.
Mascherano said when asked about Inter Miami signing a goalkeeper: “We are waiting for them to finalize paperwork. The reality is that we don’t have a keeper, we are training with one keeper from our academy, but we can’t play without a goalkeeper and we are not going to expose an academy player in pre-season.”
Who could Inter Miami be signing this week?
Goalkeepers have been a surprising fixture in the Inter Miami rumor mill this January given how highly-rated Callender is amongst MLS experts, with the USA international considered by some as one of the best in the entire league.
Yet a backup is needed with the Herons so short in the position, with the leading goalkeeper to join Inter Miami being Rocco Rios Novo, who is believed to be closing in on a loan move to the Florida franchise from Lanus.
With Inter Miami also failing to sign Nahuel Losada, it’s clear that goalkeepers are on the agenda for the Herons this January, yet a new addition appears to be on the horizon if Mascherano’s comments can be believed.