Kevin De Bruyne Eyes MLS Sensation: Could Inter Miami’s Messi-Led Revolution Add Another Superstar?
The world of football is alive with speculation as Manchester City's midfield maestro, Kevin De Bruyne, contemplates a sensational move to join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami. This prospective transatlantic partnership between two of the game’s most influential players could reshape the landscape of Major League Soccer and capture the imagination of fans worldwide.
De Bruyne, one of Europe's most sought-after talents, is reportedly open to a new challenge as his contract with Manchester City nears its conclusion this summer. At 33, the Belgian star is not only keeping his options open but is also said to have been "inundated with offers," according to multiple reports. While his next move remains the subject of intense debate, the growing consensus among insiders is that Inter Miami is at the front of the queue for his signature.
The intrigue intensified after it emerged that Inter Miami have acquired De Bruyne’s MLS discovery rights—a little-known mechanism granting them the league’s "right of first refusal". Previously held by San Diego FC, these rights now put the Florida-based club in pole position to enter negotiations should De Bruyne decide to make the leap across the Atlantic.
However, the deal is not without its obstacles. Financially, De Bruyne commands a salary in the region of £20 million a year at City, a figure that would eclipse even Messi’s reported $20 million-per-year MLS deal. Though MLS imposes strict salary caps—presently just over $740,000 per player—teams can bypass these limits for marquee names via the Designated Player (DP) rule. Inter Miami’s three DP slots are currently occupied by Messi, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, all of whom remain under contract until the end of the 2025 season.
This conundrum has prompted speculation over creative solutions. Industry analysts note that Inter Miami could utilise Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) or General Allocation Money (GAM) to "buy down" De Bruyne’s cap hit—a strategy previously seen when Zlatan Ibrahimović joined the LA Galaxy on a non-DP deal, later earning DP status. Precedents like Jordi Alba’s similar route to Miami last summer offer further evidence that such high-profile transitions are plausible, if not straightforward.
Beyond contractual gymnastics, there’s the tantalising prospect of De Bruyne linking up with Messi—a collaboration that combines creativity, vision, and elite technical prowess. For Messi, who has already galvanised Major League Soccer’s popularity since his arrival, the addition of De Bruyne could catapult Inter Miami to new competitive heights and further globalise the league’s brand.
Yet football’s transfer sagas are notorious for unexpected twists. Clubs across Europe and beyond, including Saudi Arabian giants and Premier League rivals, reportedly retain interest in tempting De Bruyne elsewhere. With lucrative offers and emotional ties in play, it remains to be seen whether Miami can pull off what would undoubtedly be one of the most audacious coups in MLS history.
For now, fans and pundits alike are left to dream: could 2024 be the year when a Messi–De Bruyne partnership lights up American soccer? As negotiations inch forward and the rumour mill whirs, one thing is certain—the world will be watching.
What do you think? Would De Bruyne’s arrival in Miami signal a new dawn for MLS, or is this just another headline to fuel the summer’s football gossip? Share your thoughts and keep the conversation going below.
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