Lionel Messi‘s direct call to German Berterame reportedly helped open negotiations and convince the Mexican attacker to join Inter Miami over Wolverhampton Wanderers, according to Plano Deportivo (via Sport Witness).
The Wolves were keen on signing the 27-year-old as a replacement for the South Korean forward Hwang Hee-chan, who is nearing an exit from Molineux. As per the aforementioned report, Eredivisie giants Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven are monitoring a move for Hwang.
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As a result, the Wolves are looking to sign a new attacker. German Berterema was a top transfer target for the Premier League side; however, Lionel Messi’s direct phone call made Inter Miami the frontrunners to sign the 27-year-old.
The Herons have reportedly finalised a deal with Monterrey for a reported fee of $15 million for the Mexican attacker. The Liga MX side will receive around 70% of the share, while his former clubs, Atletico Madrid, Atletico San Luis and San Lorenzo will divide the remaining 30% among themselves.
Berterame joined Monterrey from San Luis on a free transfer in July 2022. Since then, the Mexican attacker has scored 68 goals and provided 15 assists in 153 games for Rayados across all competitions.
Despite primarily playing as a striker, the 27-year-old has also featured as a winger and an attacking midfielder for the Mexican giants.
Denis Bouange turned down an offer to join Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami: Reports
According to The Athletic (via Foot Africa), Los Angeles FC turned down Inter Miami’s £13 million offer to sign Gabonese forward Denis Bouanga. The 31-year-old, who joined the Major League Soccer (MLS) side in August 2022 from Ligue 1’s Saint-Etienne, has solidified his spot as a top attacker in the league.
In 152 total appearances for the California-based side across all competitions, the Gabonese attaker has scored 101 goals and has provided 45 assists. In 2025, he was the joint-second-highest goalscorer in MLS alongside Nashville’s Sam Surridge, with 24 goals, only behind Lionel Messi, who bagged 29.
Instead of joining the Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami, Denis Bouanga is keen on staying at the club until his contract expires in 2027, which also has an option for a one-year extension. Bouanga was also a part of the Gabon national team at the African Cup of Nations. He scored one goal in three appearances.
After the Herons’ offer for Bouanga was rejected, they reportedly decided to focus on finalising the deal for Monterrey’s German Berterame, as per GOAL.
Edited by Sankalp Srivastava
