Messi snatches wonderkid from the grasp of Man Utd and Real Madrid

Tom Weber

• Updated: 13 Feb 2024 10:26 GMT
• 3 min read

Inter Miami have secured the signature of sought-after midfielder Federico Redondo, according to various reports.

The son of former Real Madrid, AC Milan and Argentina star Fernando, Redondo junior will be playing his club football in the US in 2024. According to Cesar Luis Merlo, and since confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, Inter Miami will shell out $8 million to land the 21-year-old.

In landing Redondo, Miami have wrestled aside high-profile competition, most notably from the Premier League and LaLiga. The likes of Man Utd, Liverpool and Real Madrid were all said to be keen on the youngster, who would have been out of contract at Argentinos Juniors at the end of the year.

Bayern were also tentatively linked amid their ongoing search for a holding midfielder, but Sky Germany has since downplayed the Bavarians' interest in Redondo. It is fair to assume that Lionel Messi played a crucial role in helping David Beckham's MLS side sign the prospect.

Miami aiming big

The chance of playing alongside one of Argentina's greatest-ever players and the willingness of MLS clubs to give regular minutes to South American talent before selling it on to Europe is what likely tipped the balance in Inter Miami's favour.

In Fort Lauderdale, Redondo will learn from one of the best defensive midfielders of the last generation in Sergio Busquets. The Argentine wonderkid has been brought in to replace compatriot Facundo Farias after he tore his ACL, which will cause him to miss the 2024 season.

Redondo is the latest major signing made by the Herons in a bid to turn a faltering MLS franchise into one of North America's behemoths. Miami missed the playoffs last term, but with head coach Tata Martino having a full pre-season with his squad, Messi and company available for an entire campaign and reinforcements in the shape of ex-Liverpool and Barcelona star Luis Suarez and now Redondo, they will be gunning for major silverware.