Messi set for €100m Inter Miami teammate as Beckham moves for superstar

Robin Bairner

• 8 Jan 2024 08:28 GMT
• 3 min read

Lionel Messi could be lining up alongside a surprising new Inter Miami teammate at the beginning of the 2024 MLS season if co-owner David Beckham gets his way.

Since the arrival of Messi at the MLS franchise, Inter Miami have added several more former Barcelona legends to their ranks, with Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and, most recently, Luis Suarez added to their roster.

And now Beckham is seeking to sign another ex-Barca talent, albeit one who is not so fondly remembered at Camp Nou.

Philippe Coutinho is on the radar of Inter Miami, according to a report in AS.

Coutinho is presently on the books of Qatar club Al-Duhail yet the Spanish source reports that he is destined to return to Aston Villa as his loan move in the Stars League has been unsuccessful.

Unai Emery has no intention of re-integrating the Brazil international back into the Villa squad, yet there is interest in the player from MLS. The report indicates that Inter Miami and LA Galaxy are both keen on signing the 31-year-old.

It is unclear how Coutinho could sign for Inter Miami without moving one of their designated players, who do not count towards the MLS salary cap, on. These spots are filled by Messi, Busquets and Gregore.

Suarez, meanwhile, has reportedly signed on a deal well below his market value to hook up with Messi again, and it may be that Coutinho has to similarly accept a low wage to hook up with Beckham’s side.

What happened to Philippe Coutinho?

Coutinho made his name at Inter Miami before making a move to Liverpool in 2013 that would be the making of his career.

The creative attacker starred for nearly five years at Anfield before making a €135 million move to Barcelona in January 2018. He was Neymar’s replacement at Camp Nou but filled his compatriot’s boots only in name and was soon shipped out on loan to Bayern Munich and Aston Villa as his star quickly fell.

The Premier League side were persuaded to sign him for €20m after a bright loan spell but that form was not recaptured after he signed for the club on a permanent basis.

He remains under contract until 2026, with a move away from the Birmingham side now looking necessary if he is to continue his career at a significant level.