“It’s always exciting to have a player like Neymar,” said Luis Suárez during a press conference about his close friend.

The Brazilian star’s potential move to Inter Miami might be closer than it seems. While the club publicly denies any talks, behind the scenes at Chase Stadium, preparations are underway to make space for his arrival.

A race against time is unfolding, with Miami competing against Brazil’s Santos to reunite the iconic MSN trio—Messi, Suárez, and Neymar—this time in Miami, fulfilling Jorge Mas’s dream.

Will Neymar join Inter Miami?

As previously reported by AS, Neymar’s future appears to be drifting away from Saudi Arabia. With his contract set to expire on June 30, he is now free to negotiate his next move. Al Hilal, dissatisfied with his performance relative to his astronomical salary, seems unlikely to offer a renewal.

Meanwhile, Inter Miami, led by Messi and Suárez, has already reached out to Neymar’s entourage. However, for now, Neymar remains focused on regaining peak form and returning to the pitch.

It has been a busy winter in Miami, with Chase Stadium’s offices working tirelessly during the transfer window. The club has released key players with high salaries to balance its budget, a move crucial for accommodating a potential superstar. Among these, the departure of Leonardo Campana to the New England Revolution is seen as pivotal.

His exit frees up a Designated Player (DP) spot, a coveted position for players whose salaries exceed the MLS cap of $683,000 per year. With Messi and Sergio Busquets occupying two of Miami’s three DP slots, the puzzle to bring Neymar is slowly coming together.

What is Neymar’s current salary?

Neymar’s current salary, reportedly around $100 million per year, poses a significant challenge. Inter Miami cannot afford this figure outright and would need to employ a strategy similar to the one used for Messi, potentially involving Neymar accepting a reduced salary.

In such a scenario, sponsorship opportunities would likely emerge, with brands eager to associate their names with Inter Miami and Neymar, just as Apple and Adidas did with Messi’s arrival in the United States.

However, as Mascherano himself emphasised, the club remains cautious. “We have nothing yet. He is a great player, and every coach in the world would want him. But we know the MLS rules on the salary cap, and right now, it’s impossible for us,” said the coach.

Months of meticulous planning and effort lie ahead on the East Coast, as Inter Miami work to turn this dream into reality ahead of the new season, when the pressure will well and truly be on from the first minute.