Inter Miami transfer failed at the last moment - Romero only number 4 at Man United

After five years and 61 games, the end at Manchester United is near for goalkeeper Sergio Romero. The Argentine, who has been the long-standing number two behind goalkeeper David de Gea has not been registered for the 2020/21 Premier League season. In the goalkeeper hierarchy, he is now the number four behind Dean Henderson and Lee Grant. Furthermore, his contract expires at the end of the season. Nonetheless, a last-minute transfer to Inter Miami CF fell through on Thursday.  

On Friday, the Daily Mail reported that the David Beckham owned club negotiated with the Red Devils until the early morning hours. The Major League Soccer secondary transfer window closed on Oct. 29 without any club making any significant moves. That includes Inter Miami, who could not get a deal with Romero and United across the line. 

A report by the Daily Star has suggested that Romero's contract at Manchester United could be terminated, which would safe United €110,000 a week in salary. Romero would have been unlikely to earn that amount in MLS. "But there appeared to be negotiations with the league, which is in charge of all contracts," Transfermarkt Area Manager USA Manuel Veth said. "I can confirm that much."

Manchester United's Romero: Not a Designated Player at Inter Miami CF

"Even though Inter already had two designated players in Gonzalo Higuaín and Rodolfo Pizarro, as well as two Young Designated Players in Matías Pellegrini and Julián Carranza, the club would have been able to afford Romero," Veth said. The club could have used Allocation Money (TAM & GAM) to reduce the hit towards the salary cap. "Expansion teams are usually rich in TAM and GAM," Veth said. Using that mechanism, the club could have signed Romero on a normal player contract and still stay under the cap. 

The move to Inter Miami, where Romero was supposed to replace the injured Luis Robles, is not the first transfer to fall apart for the Argentine this summer. United's league competitor Everton were interested ahead of Europe's deadline day. But the Toffees were unwilling to agree to United's transfer fee demands. Furthermore, Romero's youth club Racing was also rumored to be interested. There the 96-times national team keeper would earn far less than in the Premier League or MLS.