Could Real Betis and Argentina star Giovani Lo Celso replace Allende at Inter Miami?

Rumored transfer target makes sense for Inter Miami

Soccer's silly season never really ends, but it does get sillier.

Since winning its first Major League Soccer title on Dec. 6, Inter Miami has been linked to a who ' s-who list of football superstars, stars and stars-in-waiting, including the Brazilian icon Neymar who, a decade ago, teamed with Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez to form one of the greatest attacking trios of all time.

The MSN reunion simply isn't practical, for a variety of reasons.

Another silly rumor had Robert Lewandowski, the prolific Polish striker who has starred for Bayern Munich and Barcelona, joining Messi in South Florida to replace Suárez at the tip of Los Garzas' spear.

Lewandowski is undoubtedly great, but at 37, I'm not sure he's a fit in the direct, fluid attack the Herons discovered during their MLS Cup campaign. Also, he's notably not Argentinian or Latin, for that matter.

At Inter Heron, we consider every rumor but reserve our excitement until the contracts are signed and the targeted player is holding up a pink jersey for photos.

That said, we'd like to share a rumor that just might make sense: Álex Mérida, writing for El Correo de Andalucía, is reporting that Inter Miami is interested in signing Real Betis attacking midfielder Giovani Lo Celso in the winter transfer window. Here's why this rumor carries weight:

1. Allende replacement? Tadeo Allende had a breakout season -- more specifically, a breakout month in which he set a new MLS record for goals in a postseason (9) -- in 2025, probably inflating his value beyond what Inter Miami would like to pay Spanish side Celta Vigo, which own his rights.

Lo Celso, 29, is more experienced and more of a playmaker than Allende, who scored most of his goals in transition in 2025. Lo Celso has played for five teams -- Rosario Central, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Betis, Villareal and Tottenham -- with 47 goals and 37 assists in 11 seasons.

Allende, 27, had 15 goals and an assist in 48 appearances for Inter Miami this season. In four professional seasons, he's played for three teams -- Godoy Cruz, Celta Vigo and Inter Miami. He has 31 goals and six assists in that time.

2. Home boy! Not only is Lo Celso from the home country of so many Inter Miami players and coaches, but he's also from Rosario, the same hometown as Messi and rising star Mateo Silvetti.

3. La Albiceleste connection. Lo Celso was teammates with Herons Messi and Rodrigo De Paul when La Albiceleste lifted its third World Cup in 2022.

On Oct. 11 this year, he and other Argentina players came to watch Messi play for Inter Miami against Atlanta United at Chase Stadium (La Albiceleste were in Fort Lauderdale preparing for World Cup qualifying matches being played in the United States).

4. Betis shopping their star? According to Mérida, Real Betis is looking to trim payroll and free up funds to sign a center forward. The rights to Lo Celso, who has been slowed this season by a couple of muscle injuries, is valued at about $5.9 million and earns a similar salary from the La Liga club.

Lo Celso almost certainly would command a designated player contract -- Inter Miami has one DP slot available, with Messi and De Paul filling its other two -- but a player in his prime with experience at the highest level of European football is worth the investment.

Again, remember: Silly season. But the Herons could do worse than bringing Lo Celso to Miami.

Rumored transfer target makes sense for Inter Miami