Gonzalo Lujan/Getty Images
Some interesting transfer news has emerged about Inter Miami’s hunt for a new defender.
Reports suggest they might be able to snap up San Lorenzo’s Gonzalo Lujan without paying a penny because of unpaid wages.
According to DiarioOle, San Lorenzo owes Lujan around $200,000, and he’s not happy about it.
He’s already skipped the first two pre-season training sessions, and his contract has an interesting clause – if he doesn’t get his money by Monday, January 6, he can walk away for free.
New Inter Miami boss Javier Mascherano seems keen to sort out his defense, which makes sense. Despite winning the Supporters’ Shield last season and banging in 79 goals, they leaked quite a few at the back – 49 to be exact, the same as ninth-placed Atlanta United.
Mascherano’s already been busy in the transfer market. He’s brought in Fafa Picault on a free from Vancouver Whitecaps, and the word is that Tadeo Allende is about to sign, too.
The 23-year-old Lujan could be next through the door. He’s pretty versatile, too, able to play both center-back and right-back.
This could be particularly handy since Nicolas Freire has just left for Independiente, leaving a gap in Miami’s defense.
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They’ve got their eye on Independiente’s Kevin Lomonaco as well, but Lujan seems to be their top choice – especially if they can get him for free.
We’ll know more by Monday when San Lorenzo’s deadline to pay up runs out. If they don’t sort it out, Miami might land themselves a new defender without spending a dime.