Inter Miami have reportedly issued their response to Brighton & Hove Albion after an $8.5m bid was tabled for midfielder Diego Gomez.
The Paraguay international has emerged as a target for the Premier League side this week, with Gomez attracting interest from Brighton after an impressive year with Inter Miami in MLS.
Although the 21-year-old has missed the last two months due to an ankle injury, Gomez’s reputation and prior performances have clearly left an impression on top clubs in Europe, with Brighton making an opening offer to sign the youngster.
And the Herons have now given their verdict on the English side’s bid for Gomez.
Inter Miami reject Brighton’s opening bid to sign Gomez
According to journalist Cesat Luis Merlo, Inter Miami have shot down Brighton’s first offer to sign Gomez, with the Herons not satisfied with the $8.5m offered for the Paraguay talent this summer.
Merlo wrote: “Brighton opened negotiations to sign Diego Gómez, one of the key players at Inter Miami. There is already a first offer of $8.5M, but it’s considered insufficient. They will seek to improve it and to land the footballer.”
With Miguel Almiron’s $30m move to Newcastle United still the biggest sale ever from an MLS side, Inter Miami’s demands might not be far off what Atlanta United received for the Premier League star back in 2019.
And with Atlanta on the verge of selling Thiago Almada for around $20m to Brazilian side Botafogo, Inter Miami could be using the Argentine international’s sale as a measuring stick for what they could potentially get for Gomez.
Inter Miami have to work out the best deal for themselves and for Gomez
Inter Miami stand to make a good profit from Gomez this summer, with the 21-year-old one of the most exciting prospects in MLS and a talent who is more than ready for a move to Europe in the coming weeks.
Yet having missed the last two months of the season due to injury, Gomez could be better off remaining at Inter Miami for the year and getting as many minutes as possible before heading to Brighton and the Premier League.
Moreover, such a proposal could benefit Inter Miami greatly in talks with Brighton for Gomez, with the Paraguay international at a stage in his career where playing is more important than sitting on the bench for a bigger side in a better league.