TRANSFER TRACKER STATUS: Report
After only a few months down in Mexico, Leandro Gonzalez Pirez could soon return to MLS.
Inter Miami are on the verge of finalizing a deal to acquire the former Atlanta United center back, according to The Athletic‘s Paul Tenorio. Gonzalez Pirez was sold from Atlanta to Club Tijuana in January.
Leandro Gonzalez Pirez is coming back to MLS.
A transfer for the former #ATLUTD center back is nearly done with Xolos; LGP is finalizing an agreement to sign with #InterMiamiCF, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the deal. https://t.co/yLoRtYLTBB pic.twitter.com/jpybsQEf3c
— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) June 19, 2020
Gonzalez Pirez, 28, made 14 appearances with Xolos before the Liga MX season was suspended and ultimately canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He spent three seasons at Atlanta, a cornerstone over the club’s trophy-laden first three seasons. He started 95 matches, raising MLS Cup, U.S. Open Cup and Campeones Cup trophies during that time.
Inter Miami sporting director Paul McDonough is plenty familiar with LGP, as he served in the Atlanta front office from 2016-18.
Miami are No. 1 in the Allocation Order, meaning they don’t need to acquire the top spot before signing Gonzalez Pirez. The Argentine is currently on the Allocation List because his transfer out of the league was for a fee larger than $500,000. Once Miami use their top spot to add LGP, FC Cincinnati will move into the No. 1 slot.
LGP would add to an already impressive collection of defensive talent, including fellow Argentine Nico Figal, reigning MLS Cup champ Roman Torres, 20-year-old Colombian Andres Reyes and more. Miami, in their expansion season, are 0-2 ahead of the MLS is Back Tournament.
