Inter Miami CF has expressed interest in signing Rayados de Monterrey and Mexico national team forward Germán Berterame, sources confirmed to ESPN on Friday, with both clubs confirming a deal was in the works.
The MLS team would be willing to pay the player’s release clause to complete the transfer, sources revealed. Mexican outlets reported Berterame’s release clause to be valued at $15 million.
A deal between Inter Miami and Rayados for Berterame has not been finalized yet, but both Monterrey sporting director Jose Antonio Noreiga and Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas have confirmed ESPN’s story.
“I can tell you and confirm that there has been an approach [from Inter Miami] and a proposal that is interesting to Berterame,” Noreiga said.
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“It interests Germán, and it could be interesting for us. If we decide that the offer is interesting and that Germán leaves, we will do everything possible and we are already working on it to replace him.”
Berterame started for Rayados on Friday night and scored a goal in his team’s 5-1 thrashing of Mazatlán FC.
“Well, first of all, Germán Berterame is a great player,” Inter Miami co-owner Mas said. “He’s a great player, and we’re aiming to have a great squad
“I know I confirmed this morning that there’s an offer from Inter Miami. There is an offer from Inter Miami for Germán Berterame, we’ll see how that develops in the next 24 to 36 hours. But once again, I say, we’re aiming to have an extraordinary squad, to give [Javier] Mascherano the tools to attack technically as he sees fit, a lineup that can be strong, and that’s the kind of quality player who deserves to be part of the Inter Miami squad.”
Mas also commented on Miami’s interest in Vancouver Whitecaps and United States defender Tristan Blackmon, confirming that Miami made a bid for the reigning MLS Defender of the Year but that “for now we consider that matter closed.”
ESPN reported that Blackmon failed to show up for a scheduled physical with the Whitecaps on Wednesday in the wake of Vancouver rejecting a cash transfer offer worth $3 million from Miami. However, the 29-year-old subsequently reported to the Whitecaps camp the following day.
Negotiations appear to be progressing smoother for Berterame.
Before Rayados, Berterame featured for Argentine sides San Lorenzo and Patronato before making his Liga MX debut with Atletico San Luis in 2019. While playing for Atletico San Luis, the forward scored 31 goals in 93 games in all competitions and earned the Golden Boot for the 2021 Apertura tournament.
Berterame then joined Rayados in 2022, where he has recorded 67 goals and 15 assists in 152 games across all competitions.
His efforts in Liga MX earned him recognition from the Mexican national team, after becoming eligible to feature for El Tricolor by completing the country’s naturalization process.
Though Berterame previously featured for the Argentina youth national team, his lack of appearances with the senior squad allowed for the forward to represent Mexico without needing to file a FIFA one time switch.
Other MLS teams previously expressed interest in Berterame. FC Cincinnati attempted to trigger the player’s previous release clause, but the two parties failed to come to an agreement to complete the transfer.
Information from ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle contributed to this report.
