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11 months ago
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Luis Suarez is set to join Inter Miami on a one-year deal after bidding farewell to Gremio at the weekend, according to reports.
The Uruguayan striker waved goodbye to Gremio fans in their final home game of the season on Sunday, having gone out on a high by scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over Vasco de Gama.
It is believed Suarez is now heading to Miami to reunite with close friend Lionel Messi, who sparked a frenzy in the States by signing for the David Beckham-owned franchise over the summer.
Now his former Barcelona teammate is poised to become the club's latest superstar signing, with the Miami Herald reporting that confirmation of Suarez's move to Inter is imminent.
He is understood to be finalizing a one-year contract to join Tata Martino's side, although it has not yet been signed given Gremio still have their final game of the season on the road against Fluminese to come on Wednesday night.
Luis Suarez (left) is finalizing a deal to reunite with close friend Lionel Messi at Inter Miami
Suarez waved an emotional goodbye to Gremio on Sunday as he prepares to leave the club
Reports claim Miami will be his next destination, where Messi will be waiting for his buddy
It is believed that Miami will use Targeted Allocation Money, given to each MLS team annually to help recruit or retain players, to keep Suarez's salary below the Designated Player threshold.
All clubs are allowed just three Designated Players on their roster whose salaries exceed the league's Maximum Salary Budget charge, which this year was at $651,250.
As a result, Miami will be able to add Suarez to a roster which already contains Messi and two more of his former Barcelona teammates in Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
The former Liverpool star, who will turn 37 in January, scored 27 goals in 53 appearances for Gremio this season.
He initially put pen to paper on a two-year deal with the Brazilian team earlier this year, only for them to let him out of that contract earlier than planned amid his desire to reunite with Messi in Miami.
After waving goodbye at Gremio Arena on Sunday, Suarez posted on social media: 'Me and my family want to thank everyone for the love and we lived it (Saturday) in the Arena Do Gremio.
'It was an incredible, unforgettable day that we will take in our hearts forever.'
While reports claim a move to Miami is on the cards, Suarez recently opened up on his ongoing battle with a chronic knee injury which could force him to retire.
As well as Messi, former Barcelona teammates Sergio Busquets (right) and Jordi Alba (center) are Inter players
Suarez recently opened up on his ongoing battle with a chronic knee problem which could soon force him to retire from the game
The veteran center forward is unsure how long his career after admitting his knee injury is so painful that he must takes three pills each night.
He said: 'I can feel pain, my body is speaking for me. I want to enjoy and then decide for myself after a long career.
'I need to rest, enjoy my family…then the destiny will know where I'll be in the future.'
He added: 'I have to think that in five years I still won't be able to play football with my friends.
'The truth is that the first steps I take in the morning are very painful. Anyone who sees me thinks it is impossible for me to play a game. My son asks me to play with him and I am not able to.'
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