A Look at Where We Stand - Part 2 - Arrivals

 

Let's Take a Look at Where We Stand - Part 2 - Arrivals

Yesterday in the inaugural Inter Miami Traveler Report, we took a look at where Inter Miami stands so far this offseason with all the departures that have taken place. Today, we'll take a look at where the club stands with all of the arrivals that have taken place, will take place, or should take place. 

(1 quick note - since the publishing of yesterday's piece, Christian Makoun has been traded to Charlotte FC for the Number 1 spot in the allocation order. Let this be a lesson - don't publish your departures piece before you get official confirmation whether a move that had been in the works was completed or not. Yeah, I jumped the gun on that one.)

ANYWAY, let's get onto the arrivals that have already taken place:

Via Trade: Bryce Duke, Ariel Lassiter, Mo Adams

Via Signing: Jean Mota, Clement Diop, Christopher McVey, Erickson Gallardo, Aime Mabika, Shaan Hundal, Harvey Neville

Via Re-Signing: Victor Ulloa, Brek Shea, George Acosta

Via Return from Loan: Jairo Quinteros

A week out from the beginning of the 2022 Training Camp and Chris Henderson has been an extremely busy man - with 12 arrivals via signing, trade, or re-signing. 

Let's take a look at the 7 biggest arrivals of the offseason so far:

Bryce Duke - Acquired from LAFC via Trade for $100k in GAM

Bryce Duke is a talented, young, and versatile central midfielder on a homegrown contract (meaning he doesn't count against the cap). Duke impressed during his time at LAFC - appearing in 26 matches and logging 687 minutes on the pitch for the black and gold. Duke has a great understanding of the game, a relentless work ethic, great pace, and isn't afraid to do the dirty work needed to move the ball up the pitch. Duke likely isn't a day 1 starter - but he has a ton of potential upside and is a very solid pickup by Miami. 

Jean Mota - Acquired from Santos via Signing for $500k

Jean Mota had been linked to Inter Miami since mid-October, with myself and others reporting his signing for $500k. In December, Inter Miami officially signed Jean Mota, adding a solid #8 to play alongside his fellow countryman Gregore in a double pivot in the middle of the park. Mota is a 28 year old central midfielder who isn't afraid to take a shot from range, put in a tackle, or do the work to get up and down the pitch. Mota fits in perfectly as a partner to Gregore in a 6-8 double pivot, with Mota likely being the one being free to get forward while Gregore drops behind to cover defensively. Mota comes in on a non-DP and non-TAM salary and will be a key player in 2022 for Inter Miami. 

Clement Diop - Acquired via Free Agency Signing

Clement Diop is a player that Inter Miami has been just waiting to officially sign. Diop spent the latter half of the 2021 season on trial and training with Inter Miami, but due to his mutual contract termination from CF Montreal, was unable to sign until the 2022 season with the club. Diop is a solid goalie who isn't afraid to have the ball at his feet and distribute from the back - exactly the type of goalkeeper Phil Neville wants to have on the roster. Diop will be the first back up to Nick Marsman this season, and should seamlessly step in if Marsman ever picks up an injury.

Christopher McVey - Acquired from Elsborg via Signing 

Sources have confirmed that Inter Miami has acquired 24 year old Swedish-American right back Christopher McVey from Elsborg. McVey is a young and massive RB (he's 6'4!) who will replace the departing Kelvin Leerdam as the starting right back. McVey is a danger in the air, isn't afraid to get up the pitch, and is also capable of playing CB when needed. McVey gives Miami a piece they were greatly missing in 2021 - an aerial threat on set pieces in the area both defensively and offensively. 

Aime Mabika - Signed to a First Team Deal

Sources have confirmed that Inter Miami have signed towering CB Aime Mabika to a first team contract for the 2022 season. Mabika impressed during his time at FTLCF last season and showed he was ready for first team action when called up to play twice last season in emergency circumstances. Mabika, like McVey, is another towering defender who is also good with the ball at his feet, unafraid to make a line-breaking pass, and has a high IQ and understanding of the game. 

George Acosta - Resigned to a New First Team Deal

George Acosta is a player most Inter Miami fans were confused about when it was announced his option for the 2022 season was initially declined. However, sources have confirmed to myself and Franco Panizo that Acosta will be returning on a fresh, new first team deal after an impressive 2 seasons at FTLCF. Acosta is a young central attacking midfielder with a high IQ of the game and elite ball playing ability. Acosta showed during his 2 years at FTLCF that he is capable of creating attacking opportunities at a high level, along with being unafraid to take a shot if given the opportunity. Acosta will be given the opportunity to win the starting #10 role for Inter Miami this season during training camp, and could be the internal, inexpensive, and young replacement to Rodolfo Pizarro. 

Jairo Quinteros - Returned from Loan to Club Bolivar

Jairo Quinteros is the first player that Inter Miami ever signed and the only player to have yet to feature for the club or FTLCF. Quinteros is another tall, young CB who has impressed during his 2 year loan to Club Bolivar and will be given the opportunity to start alongside Aime Mabika. Quinteros featured in 35 matches last season for Club Bolivar, including going for 90 minutes in all 5 Copa Sudamericana matches and all 4 Copa Libertadores matches, while only picking up 1 red card (via 2nd yellow) in all 35 matches. Quinteros is a talented, disciplined centerback who will immediately bring a sense of calm and composure to the Inter Miami backline. 

Inter Miami also now holds the number 1 spot in the allocation order as the result of the Christian Makoun to Charlotte FC trade. In short, this means Miami has the first right of refusal in MLS to sign any of the below players: 

Brendan Aaronson
Tyler Adams
Miguel Almiron
Juan Anangono
Pablo Aranguiz
Eduard Atuesta
Tajon Buchanan
Reggie Cannon
Carlos Carmona
Caden Clark
Alphonso Davies
Thiago Dos Santos
Chris Durkin
Alberth Elis
Omar Gaber
Sebastian Giovinco
Carlos Gruezo
Jack Harrison
Andre Horta
InBeom Hwang
Romario Ibarra
Cyle Larin
Pity Martinez
Obafemi Martins
Mark McKenzie
Matt Miazga
Michael Murillo
Anton Nedyalkov
Zdenek Ondrasek
Kwadwo Poku
Christian Pulisic
Tim Ream
Bryan Reynolds
Chris Richards
Octavio Riverio
Alain Rochat
Camilo Sanvezzo
Josh Sargent
Jefferson Savarino
Joe Scally
Alejandro Silva
Zack Steffen
Saphir Taider
Tanner Tessmann
Jose Valencia
Hector Villalba
DeAndre Yedlin
Yoshi Yotun

While it's not guaranteed that Miami will sign a player from the allocation list, sources have confirmed that the Christian Makoun trade for the number 1 spot in the allocation order had to be completed first in order for a signing to be made, and therefore, it will be a player on the allocation list. 
Leave a comment of who you think (realistically) Inter Miami should sign from the allocation list.

Inter Miami isn't done with their offseason arrivals either, as despite training camp starting on January 16th, sources have confirmed that the club will continue to work to strengthen the squad for the 2022 season throughout the transfer window - with an internal deadline of having the entire starting 2022 squad together by the end of the first week of February. Expect a lot more news from the club as Chris Henderson and Phil Neville continue to work to put together the new Inter Miami squad for the 2022 season.