Jul 14, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul (7) dribbles the ball against Colombia during the first half of the Copa America final at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

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Inter Miami Set To Sign World Cup Winner Rodrigo De Paul From Atletico Madrid

De Paul leaves Atletico Madrid with one year remaining on his contract, having joined the Spanish giants from Udinese in 2021.

Inter Miami’s ambitions to build one of Major League Soccer’s most formidable squads continue to gather pace. The club has now bolstered its midfield ahead of a busy second half of the season. The Herons are reportedly set to sign World Cup-winning midfielder Rodrigo De Paul From Atletico Madrid on a loan deal.

Inter Miami co-owner Jorge Mas recently traveled to Madrid to initiate talks with Atletico Madrid for the transfer. While the initial agreement is temporary between the two clubs, there is optimism on both sides that it could evolve into a multi-year contract.

De Paul’s deal would not immediately make him one of Inter Miami’s Designated Players (DPs), with those spots currently occupied by Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets. However, should one of those roles open up, potentially with Busquets’ contract expiring later this year, the door is open for De Paul to step into that category.

Rodrigo De Paul's move to Inter Miami is a done deal and he'll sign a four-year contract with the club, per @gastonedul

Now Messi's got 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐡 his bodyguards 👊 pic.twitter.com/NhxcQNTlKk
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 16, 2025

Inter Miami To Sign De Paul in €15 million Deal

To comply with MLS roster regulations, Rodrigo De Paul will initially join Inter Miami on a six-month loan that includes a mandatory €15 million purchase clause, plus bonuses. The loan arrangement will run through the end of the 2025 season, after which De Paul will become a permanent Inter Miami player on a contract running until 2029.

As part of the agreement, Atetico Madrid have extended De Paul’s contract until mid-2027 to facilitate the loan structure before the permanent transfer takes effect. De Paul leaves Atletico Madrid with one year remaining on his contract, having joined the Spanish giants from Udinese in 2021 for €35 million.

🚨💣 To fit MLS rules, Rodrigo De Paul will join Inter Miami on a 6-month loan with a mandatory €15 M (+ bonuses) purchase clause.
•Loan runs through the end of 2025
•From 2026 he becomes a permanent Heron on a deal until 2029
•Atlético extended his contract to mid-2027 to… pic.twitter.com/cOgebuDtqq
— Inter Miami News Hub (@Intermiamicfhub) July 16, 2025

During his time in Madrid, he made 187 appearances, scoring 14 goals and providing 26 assists. His time with Atletico coincided with his key role in Argentina’s golden generation, winning the 2022 World Cup alongside Messi and lifting the Copa America titles in both 2021 and 2024.

For Inter Miami, the arrival of De Paul adds another proven winner and someone with established chemistry with Messi, following in the footsteps of Busquets, Alba, and Luis Suarez. Meanwhile, ongoing discussions between Messi and Inter Miami about a contract extension beyond 2025 remain active, with both sides optimistic about continuing their relationship. Alba has already committed through 2027, but Busquets’ future is undecided, which could pave the way for De Paul’s long-term future in Miami.

Inter Miami’s recent participation in the Club World Cup ended at the round of 16 against PSG. The Herons are currently riding high in MLS, having won five straight league matches and are targeting a second consecutive Supporters’ Shield.

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Abhinav Goel

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I am a soccer writer at The PlayOffs, covering everything from match analysis to transfer buzz and tactical deep dives. Ever since I was a kid, soccer has been more than just a sport to me—it’s been an obsession. Playing and watching the game from a young age fueled my passion, eventually leading me into the world of sports media and betting. Now, I get to analyze the sport I love and bring the latest updates to fans worldwide.