A new team-mate for Lionel Messi! Inter Miami closing in on loan deal for Pumas star Nicolas Freire

Freire, who turns 30 next month, spent the first half of the 2023/24 season on loan at Olympiacos. But he is now all set to cut short his spell in Greece and head to the US as The Herons are on the verge of finalising a loan deal with his parent club Pumas, according to The Athletic.

Lionel Messi's club are in search of a new central defender after Kamal Miller moved to Portland Timbers. Inter Miami initially wanted to recall Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, who was on loan at River Plate, but after the Argentine giants made his transfer permanent, they chose to look elsewhere.

The Argentine defender began his career at Argentinos Juniors before moving to Montevideo City Torque. In 2019 he joined Pumas and has appeared in 125 matches across all competitions for the Mexican giants thus far.

Gerardo 'Tata' Martino's side have already started preparations for the upcoming MLS season. They are set to play a host of friendly games during the pre-season including a friendly encounter in the Riyadh Cup against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr on February 1. They begin the new season on February 22 against Real Salt Lake.