Since the announcement that Lionel Messi was leaving Barcelona to join Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami CF, soccer fans have been speculating over who else would join him. Now, it appears that Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets may be next. Reports have confirmed that Busquets has held talks with Inter Miami CF about the possibility of following Messi to the MLS franchise.

Busquets, 34, is a veteran defensive midfielder who has spent his entire career with Barcelona since joining them as a youth in 2005 and made 533 appearances for the club, winning three Champions League titles. His importance to the team cannot be overstated as he provided stability on defense and versatility in midfield while also being a leader on and off the pitch. As such, it comes as little surprise that Busquets is reported to be considering teams from other countries as well. He has been in negotiations with Saudi Arabian sides Al Nassr and Al Hilal after announcing last month he will not renew his contract with Barcelona when it expires on June 30th.

A move to Miami would see Busquets reunite with fellow Spanish international Lionel Messi at Inter Miami CF. While their reunion could help bolster the fledgling franchise’s performance on the field, they may also bring a much needed boost in terms of fan engagement and revenue generation from merchandise sales or other sources due to their immense popularity both domestically and internationally.

There are still a few hurdles to overcome before any deal can be finalized however. Both teams would need to agree on suitable compensation for Busquets while also ensuring compliance with MLS rules regarding foreign transfers and salary cap regulations. The transfer fee associated with any move for Busquets could also prove prohibitive due to his age and experience; but if the finances can be worked out then this could very well become one of the biggest summer transfers in recent memory.

Overall, having two star players like Messi and Busquets playing side by side in an up-and-coming league like Major League Soccer would be great for soccer fans worldwide regardless of their team allegiances as it would show just how globalized soccer has become over time despite its roots being firmly planted in Europe where both stars began their careers wearing the iconic Barcelona new jersey. It remains to be seen if this potential transfer materializes but if it does, there’s no doubt it will bring unprecedented attention to MLS as well as Inter Miami CF which could set an example for franchises all over the world looking to make similar signings going forward.