Inter Miami’s head coach Gerardo Martino has indicated that the club will investigate the possibilities of signing forward Luis Suarez as a free agent for the 2024 Major League Soccer season.

“We will analyze what is needed for the new season, with an analysis with Suarez in the team and without Suarez in the team,” Martino said in a press conference before the match against Charlotte, which was Inter Miami’s penultimate match of the season. The encounter against Charlotte was Inter Miami’s penultimate match of the season. “When the time comes to decide on this deal, we will go analytical.”

There are rumors that Suarez may join Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba at Inter Miami this summer. All four players were once teammates at Barcelona. In order to be able to play in the Major League Soccer (MLS), the Uruguayan striker is even willing to return all of the salary he received from Gremio in addition to paying an additional amount to dissolve the contract. Despite this, the leadership of Gremio declined.

In January 2023, Suarez signed a two-year contract to play for Gremio. However, in December 2023, it was reported that the parties involved had come to an agreement to end the contract one year earlier than originally planned. The striker, who was 36 years old, explained that he did not have the physical strength to satisfy the demanding requirements of the Brazilian championship, therefore he suggested that his contract be terminated a year earlier than it was originally scheduled to be.

“The conclusion of my contract is scheduled for December. Suarez stated in June that the club had granted his request, and that he was thankful to them for doing so. Because of the ongoing issue, I’m not sure if I’ll continue to play for the club or if I’ll find another outlet for my athleticism. using the knee that everybody is familiar with. I would appreciate it if fans of Gremio would have some compassion for the nearly 37-year-old player who continues to play despite experiencing a great deal of knee discomfort. That is the favor I ask of you.”

At that moment, however, Suarez categorically dismissed any prospect of joining Inter Miami. “It is very clear to me that Inter Miami has been in negotiations with Gremio, and the club has informed me that I still have a contract with them,” the player added. The striker who was born in 1987 continued by saying, “I can only say that Inter Miami has not contacted me.”

In a separate interview with the television program Punto Penal in Uruguay, Suarez stated that he and Messi have shared the fantasy of retiring together. “That’s what we always planned when we were at Barca,” according to him. After that, I moved on to Atletico Madrid, and Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain. We often fantasized of spending our golden years together at the same club. After we left Brarca, there was also discussion about playing in the Major League Soccer (MLS), but that hasn’t happened yet. Now that Messi is playing for Inter Miami, it is clear that he is having a great time.”

The expiration of Suarez’s contract with Gremio in December paves the way for him to sign with Inter Miami during the transfer window that opens up in the new year and participate in the 2024 Major League Soccer season, which begins in February.

Messi considers Suarez a close buddy and a valuable member of the team. At Barca, the duo was responsible for winning a total of five league titles, including four King’s Cups and one Champions League. Messi currently holds the record for most goals scored for Barcelona with 672, while Suarez is third on the list with 198 goals.