Inter Miami trading 2020 MVP Lewis Morgan to New York Red Bulls. Here’s the latest
Inter Miami winger Lewis Morgan, the team’s most valuable player in 2020, is headed to the New York Red Bulls for $1.2 million in allocation money, two sources close to the negotiations confirmed Thursday morning.
The news was first reported by The Athletic.
Miami needed to recoup revenue after being fined $2,271,250 in allocation funds in 2022 and 2023 as punishment for roster rules violations in the Blaise Matuidi contract. Morgan was one of the team’s most sought-after players, along with Nico Figal, Leandro Gonzalez-Pirez and Rodolfo Pizarro – all in their prime and key players for Miami in the first two seasons.
The Morgan-to-New York deal will be made official this weekend, as the MLS transfer window opens Sunday morning. A source close to Morgan said he enjoyed his time in Miami and had hoped to stay with the club, but had been told by management that the financial situation may require him or other top players to be shopped.
Morgan, a 25-year-old Scotsman, is known for his tireless work rate, sprints up the sideline and crossing ability. He previously played for Celtic, St. Mirren and Sunderland. He also has played for the Scottish national team.
He recorded seven goals and 12 assists in 57 games and was the only player to start all Miami’s matches during the two seasons. A natural winger, this season he was asked to move to wingback to solidify the defense, a sacrifice he made for the good of the team.
“Any change is tough, comes with a transition period, but the team’s been successful with me playing there, so I still try to bring as much energy as I can,” Morgan said midway through the season. “One thing I’ve got is a good engine, so I think maybe that’s one of the reasons the managers put me there. I do still feel I can get in attacking areas while of course there’s more of a defensive responsibility but by and large it’s been a successful transition so far.”
Morgan made $550,000 in 2021, was a fan favorite and the consummate professional.
He arrived in South Florida as a relatively unknown prospect in early 2020. He went on to lead the team in goals and assists in his first season, which led to interest from European clubs.
He signed a new contract before the 2021 season. At the time, coach Phil Neville said: “This was a reward for Lewis for his outstanding performance last season. That was the first thing (sporting director) Chris (Henderson) and I agreed on is that this boy had a great season, and we need to keep showing him that this club values him really highly.
“In terms of the signings we made, he’s equally as good, if not better because he’s a player who’s hungry. I like hungry players. He wants to get better. With Scottish players there’s always that burning desire to be the absolute best. He shows all the attributes of all the great Scottish people I have worked with and from the performances I have seen in training so far, he’s a real leader in the group.”
More changes are expected in the coming weeks as the roster undergoes a shakeup for 2022. Despite having the league’s most expensive payroll, Inter Miami has not lived up to expectations and failed to make the playoffs in 2021. The team finished in 11th place, four spots shy of the playoff line.
At least one of the team’s three high-priced Designated Players -- Pizarro, Gonzalo Higuain, Blaise Matuidi – will likely be traded. Pizarro, the Mexican playmaker, could wind up back in Liga MX, where he has been linked with Monterrey and Chivas.
In other news, Brazilian midfielder Jean Mota of Santos has signed with Inter Miami, according to Brazilian media, and the transfer fee was around $500,000. Miami is also in pursuit of Palmeiras midfielder Raphael Veiga, who scored a goal in the 2-1 Copa Libertadores final win over Flamengo. Veiga has 41 goals and 11 assists in 139 games and would carry a heftier price tag than Mota.
This story was originally published December 9, 2021 at 10:58 AM.