Inter Miami head coach Gerardo Martino responded to rumors linking Neymar at the club and insisted a deal would be impossible to negotiate at the moment given MLS salary and roster restrictions.

“With (Lionel Messi) and the boys already there, whatever can happen. What I can’t imagine is how this would play out if the league didn’t make the salary issue more flexible,” Martino said Friday.

“After writing it or saying it in the media, everything is fine, nothing happens, it has no consequences, but what would be the implementation? And the reality is that if there is something that the MLS has, that’s right, the rules are strict and cannot be broken, unless MLS decides to change.”

Rumors arose after Neymar purchased a waterfront property in Miami, but Martino highlighted the ridiculousness of tying a player to a team through real estate.

“Everyone who buys here is going to come and play? Ha! I arrived at Barcelona at the same time as (Neymar). It was a good year and for me, being able to coach such high-ranking players will always be a pleasure. a very fond memory special,” he said.

“The truth is that we cannot talk so easily and freely about the possibility of a player being able to come or not. It seems to me that when we talk about this, another type of support is needed. We cannot talk or mention a player because he bought a house here or I have a girlfriend from Fort Lauderdale.

“It’s absurd, we must speak forcefully. We must first analyze what the league is proposing and if it is really possible. Starting from this basis, today it is impossible, so there is no has more continuity in this conversation.”

Martino instead focused on the team’s upcoming playoff game against Atlanta United on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Miami must win to advance to the conference semifinals. A Miami loss would send this first-round best-of-three series to a deciding Game 3 on Nov. 9 at Chase Stadium.

Inter Miami could be deprived Sergio Busquets for tomorrow’s match, after Martino confirmed he remains ill and is being assessed daily. Although the midfielder played a vital role in the 2-1 win over Atlanta on Friday, he did not practice until the second game.

“No, he hasn’t trained yet. He’s still sick and on a daily basis. We’ll see today if he’s available for tomorrow’s game,” Martino said.

Beyond Busquets, David Ruiz and recently injured Ian Fraythe rest of the team is healthy for Saturday’s game.