Inter Miami in talks with Brazilian midfielders for 2022, Pizarro linked to Monterrey
Inter Miami players might want to start brushing up on their Portuguese.
After having good luck with Brazilian midfielder Gregore, who was named captain by midseason and wound up as Most Valuable Player, the club’s sporting director Chris Henderson is in Brazil scouting. He is attempting to finalize deals with at least one player, maybe two.
Under Henderson and coach Phil Neville the club expanded its global scouting and analytics departments, and two of their targets are midfielders Jean Mota of Santos and Raphael Veiga of Palmeiras.
According to Brazilian media, the club has agreed to terms with Santos and will pay a $500,000 transfer fee for Mota, 28, whose contract was due to expire in June 2022.
Veiga, a 26-year-old playmaker, made headlines last week when he scored a goal in the 2-1 Copa Libertadores final win over Flamengo. Last season he helped the club win a historic Campeonato Paulista, Copa Libertadores, and Copa do Brasil treble.
Veiga has 41 goals and 11 assists in 139 games for Palmeiras since arriving in 2017.
He is known for his precision passing behind the forward, his dangerous runs and his shot-making ability. He would carry a heftier price tag than Mota (reportedly in the $7 million to $10 million range), and would probably replace designated player Rodolfo Pizarro, who has interest from Mexican club Monterrey, where he played in 2018-19 before signing with Inter Miami.
Pizarro scored seven goals and had nine assists in 46 games with Miami. Although he showed flashes of his skills, he and Argentine forward Gonzalo Higuain never formed a productive partnership.
Inter Miami finished in 11th place in the Eastern Conference this season, four spots out of the playoffs. Training camp for the 2022 season opens Jan. 17, and the season-opening game is at home Feb. 26 against the Chicago Fire.