Published: 13:59, May 10, 2020 | Updated: 02:55, June 6, 2023
James, Pastore on Inter Miami radar
By Xinhua

In this Feb 29, 2020 photo, Real Madrid's Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez heads a ball during a training session at the club's training ground in Valdebebas in the outskirts of Madrid on the eve of the Spanish League football match between Real Madrid and Barcelona. (JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)

BUENOS AIRES - Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez and Argentinian midfielder Javier Pastore could join David Beckham's Inter Miami when football returns from its coronavirus shutdown, according to media reports.

Inter Miami lost the first two matches of their inaugural Major League Soccer campaign before the season was suspended in March because of the COVID-19 outbreak

James still has more than a year left on his Real Madrid contract but has struggled for opportunities since returning to the Spanish capital last July after a two-year loan spell with Bayern Munich.

Pastore has also endured a difficult time at Roma since joining the Italian Serie A club from Paris Saint-Germain in July 2018. Injuries have limited the 30-year-old to just 29 appearances across all competitions.

According to Argentina's Ole news service, Beckham is understood to see James and Pastore as ideal transfer targets because of their European experience and South American pedigree, which would resonate with Inter Milan's Hispanic fan base.

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In this April 27, 2019 photo, AS Roma Argentine midfielder Javier Pastore (left) shoots and scores during the italian Serie A football match between AS Roma and Cagliari, at the Olympic stadium in Rome. (ANDREAS SOLARO / AFP)

Inter Miami lost the first two matches of their inaugural Major League Soccer campaign before the season was suspended in March because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Beckham, who retired from football in 2013 after a career that included 115 England caps, unveiled plans for his own MLS franchise in 2014, exercising an option that was written into his contract with former team LA Galaxy.

Other partners include former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller, Bolivian-American businessman Marcelo Claure, South Floridian investors Jorge and Jose Mas, and Japanese entrepreneur Masayoshi Son.