As if Inter Miami hadn't been linked with enough players, David Beckham made the admission that he is scouting the Colombian soccer market for talent.
"Now that I have my team in Miami I hope to bring Colombian players, it would be fantastic," Beckham told Futbol Red. "For the fans, for the people, it’s a great excitement for me to have Colombian players on my team."
Miami, starting play as an MLS expansion team in 2020, have yet to sign a player but sporting director Paul McDonough told MLSsoccer.com last month that would be happening soon. Beckham, involved in the roster-building process, admits the team have opened discussions with Colombian players.
"We have talked to some players, but you know how it is, I can’t name them," Beckham said.
Let the speculation begin. Here are five Colombians who would make great signings for Inter Miami:
Radamel Falcao
Falcao with Monaco | Action Images
Perhaps the most likely option on this list, Falcao has regularly been linked to Inter Miami. In fact, for a club that is constantly tagged with reports ranging from loosely sourced to plausible to realistic, Falcao might be the likeliest to join now.
It makes sense: He's 33, has spent a decade in Europe with Porto, Atletico Madrid, Monaco, Manchester United, Chelsea and back to Monaco, and it might be time for a change. He's still producing at a high level, too, with 15 goals in 33 appearances this season.
James Rodriguez
We had to go here. Don't be surprised.
Rodriguez has spent the last two seasons on loan at Bayern Munich from Real Madrid, but the German club announced they won't make that loan a permanent deal. He's rumored to be a target for Napoli, and a number of other clubs would love to have him signed. The 27-year-old has no shortage of suitors.
"Obviously [I watch] James playing at Real Madrid [like me] and later at Bayern," Beckham said. "I watch him a lot because I think he is a player with a lot of talent."
Even if Rodriguez swaps Real Madrid with another European power this summer, don't expect the links to Miami to die down over the coming years.
David Ospina
Ospina hasn't started more than half of his team's league games since 2013/14 when he played for Nice in France. With Arsenal and Napoli, he's largely been a backup, though an overqualified one.
Could an offer from Inter Miami with the lure of being the unquestioned starter tempt him to join? His loan with Napoli ended and he is set to return to Arsenal, where he made just five league starts in his last campaign there.
Juan Fernando Quintero
Quintero celebrates a goal | USA Today Sports
Ahead of last season, the creative midfielder was on the precipice of signing for the Chicago Fire. That deal didn't get over the line and off to River Plate he went, where he won the Copa Libertadores alongside current Atlanta United midfielder Pity Martinez.
Quintero was long a touted prospect and now entering his prime, the 26-year-old would make a fine centerpiece for Inter Miami.
Carlos Cuesta
Outside of the senior national team, the U-20 side representing Colombia at the World Cup is packed with talent. Any of those youngsters could work, but Cuesta is an interesting name.
Cuesta has made 20 appearances for the Colombian U-20 team including starting all four games at the World Cup, where he has helped lead his team to the quarterfinals. Still at Atletico Nacional, he may be had for a reasonable price. The longer he keeps up his form at the U-20 World Cup, though, the steeper that price tag may become.
