As Lionel Messi gears up to steer Inter Miami toward their maiden MLS Cup triumph, facing off against New York City FC in a pulse-pounding semifinal this Saturday, November 29th, in Fort Lauderdale, the club’s masterminds are already plotting their next big conquest. In a stunning twist that’s set the soccer world abuzz, reports reveal Inter Miami’s audacious pursuit of a proven Champions League victor to flank the Argentine legend.
German powerhouse outlet BILD has dropped the explosive news: Inter Miami is eyeing RB Leipzig’s dynamic striker Timo Werner, the very man who hoisted the Champions League trophy with Chelsea back in 2021.
Werner’s deal with the Bundesliga outfit runs until mid-2026, but whispers from Germany paint a picture of frustration. Plagued by injuries and sidelined on the bench, the ex-Tottenham speedster has clocked a mere one minute of action this Bundesliga season—a far cry from the spotlight any elite player craves.
Just last transfer window, Werner was tantalizingly close to an MLS leap, with links swirling around the New York Red Bulls thanks to their RB Leipzig ties. But the move fizzled out, leaving the German talent stewing in Europe.
Now, with Messi’s Inter Miami contract locked in until 2028, sources suggest Werner is thrilled at the prospect of linking up with the World Cup wizard in sunny Florida, injecting fresh firepower into the Herons’ attack.
But does Werner truly fit the Inter Miami puzzle?
In his Chelsea heyday, Timo Werner was hailed as a goal-scoring phenom with world-beater potential. Yet, post-Champions League glory, his spark dimmed, failing to recapture that electric form at Stamford Bridge.
Per Transfermarkt, Werner’s hefty $11.6 million salary would demand a Designated Player (DP) slot at Inter Miami—a club currently maxed out on those premium spots. But change is on the horizon: Come season’s end, icons Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets will retire, unlocking two coveted DP berths.
One is tipped for Argentine sensation Rodrigo De Paul, leaving a golden opportunity for another star. Inter Miami must weigh Werner’s recent struggles against his undeniable upside, especially with Luis Suarez mulling his future, young prospect Allen Obando poised for a potential exit, and Tadeo Allende’s role hanging in the balance. Could this shock signing be the catalyst to elevate Messi’s squad to unstoppable heights? The MLS rumor mill is spinning wildly—stay tuned!