Liverpool midfield target 'close' to joining Lionel Messi in MLS

Any hopes Liverpool had of securing promising Argentina midfielder Federico Redondo have been dealt a blow, with the player expected to make a move to MLS.

According to renowned journalist Cesar Luis Merlo, the young midfielder appears to be on the brink of sealing a move to Inter Miami, leaving the Premier League leaders empty-handed in their pursuit.

Redondo, who has been making waves in the Primera División with Argentinos Juniors, had captured the attention of many sides across Europe, including Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid - all of whom had been closely monitoring his progress.

While Merlo had initially hinted at a potential tug-of-war between the Premier League clubs for the services of the defensive midfielder, the journalist's recent update on social media points towards Inter Miami surging ahead in negotiations to secure the 21-year-old.

The Major League Soccer outfit are reportedly in "very advanced negotiations" and preparing a substantial offer of $8 million (£6.3 million) for the player – an offer that Argentinos Juniors would be inclined to accept.

The Messi factor

While the player's father, Fernando Redondo, also a holding midfielder, made a name for himself in Europe, playing for Real Madrid from 1994 to 2000 (winning two La Liga championships and as just as many Champions League) before adding another Champions League trophy with AC Milan in 2003, the lure of playing with Argentina legend Lionel Messi in Miami seems to have been a deciding factor.

The Barcelona legend and World Cup winner joined the club co-owned by David Beckham in July 2023 on a two-and-a-half-year contract, increasing the attractiveness of MLS as a destination for emerging talents from around the world.

That said, a future move to Europe for the Argentina under-23 international shouldn't be ruled out, and the top clubs on the continent will no doubt continue to watch his progress over the coming seasons.