Inter Miami Closes In on Defensive Reinforcement Through Loan Deal
Inter Miami are putting the finishing touches on a deal to bring Brazilian left-footed central defender Micael from Palmeiras on a loan arrangement with a purchase option, according to reports.
Following the acquisition of former Premier League fullback Sergio Reguilón and the reported capture of a new first-choice keeper in 2025 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and Canada international Dayne St. Clair, the Herons are maintaining their busy transfer window as they pursue consecutive MLS Cup championships.
Per Globo, Miami and Palmeiras are ironing out the remaining specifics of what would be an initial loan deal for Micael, with any arrangement anticipated to feature an option for a permanent transfer.
The 25-year-old Micael has experienced sporadic minutes since his return to Brazil's premier division in 2025 after spending three seasons in MLS with Houston Dynamo from 2022 through 2024. At Palmeiras, he has featured in 28 matches, including a pair in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
He formally joined the squad at February's end and had secured a place in the starting eleven for both the Campeonato Paulista and Campeonato Brasileiro, but was dropped in May and has struggled to find regular minutes since.
His role in Inter Miami's formation remains uncertain initially. In the 3–1 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps that clinched MLS Cup, head coach Javier Mascherano deployed his preferred center-back duo of Maxi Falcón and Noah Allen, who established themselves as starters during the summer months.
Micael's potential arrival would still provide Miami with additional squad depth, particularly given they have an available Designated Player position following the retirements of Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets.
A Swift MLS Comeback
Micael would be making his second stint in MLS, having logged 80 matches with Houston Dynamo after initially joining the organization's MLS Next Pro team, Houston Dynamo 2, in April 2022 from his youth club, Atlético Mineiro.
Palmeiras reportedly spent $4 million to acquire him from the Dynamo in 2024 following his instrumental contributions to the Houston squad that claimed the 2023 U.S. Open Cup championship, defeating Inter Miami in the final—one of the initial contests after Lionel Messi's arrival that summer.
Throughout his Dynamo tenure, he netted three times in 80 total appearances across all tournaments, contributing to their U.S. Open Cup run in 2023 and their fifth-place Western Conference finish in 2024.
If the loan transfer to Inter Miami materializes, he could feature in South America during January, as the Herons are scheduled to begin preseason with three friendlies spanning Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, ahead of their MLS season opener versus LAFC on Feb. 21.