Inter Miami have kicked off the 2025 season in spectacular fashion. The team looks dominant and full of confidence. Javier Mascherano built an impeccable squad. His tactical vision and discipline helped the team lose only one game this year improving in both attack and defense. Even though the team is in great shape, more help could arrive. a former Champions League winner with Pep Guardiola could join Lionel Messi’s team.
David Beckham continues to prove that Inter Miami’s sporting project is highly ambitious. The club keeps pushing to attract the biggest stars in world soccer. According to David McDonnell of the Daily Mirror, Kevin De Bruyne could join Lionel Messi at Inter Miami. The Belgian star announced he will leave Manchester City as a free agent once the season ends.
With this, Mascherano’s team would now have three players who won the Champions League under Pep Guardiola: Sergio Busquets, Lionel Messi, and, if he joins the club, Kevin De Bruyne. Contrary to what many might think, neither Jordi Alba nor Luis Suarez played under Guardiola. Jordi joined the club the season after Guardiola left. Luis Suarez arrived in 2014, two years after the coach’s departure.
What Inter Miami would need to do to sign Kevin De Bruyne?
Major League Soccer has specific rules for salaries. Unlike most European leagues, MLS enforces a set salary structure. This system helps maintain a level playing field among all teams. According to the official MLS website, Inter Miami have a salary cap of $5.95 million.
Nevertheless, the Designated Player rule allows each MLS team to sign three players with salaries above the league limit. Inter Miami use their three slots on Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. To add Kevin De Bruyne, they would need to adjust at least one contract.
If the club hopes to bring in Kevin De Bruyne, it would undoubtedly require a lucrative contract. Because of that, the team would need a Designated Player spot. Messi’s position is untouchable. So, the club would have to move either Alba or Busquets under the regular salary cap. However, even with that move, they might still need to clear additional roster space. The standard cap likely would not cover all costs.
Which other teams could sign Kevin De Bruyne in 2025?
According to The Athletic, Kevin De Bruyne prefers a move to MLS over other options. Inter Miami have shown interest. However, other teams are also in the race to sign him. One of them is New York City FC. The club belongs to the City Football Group, which also owns Manchester City. De Bruyne has always had a good relationship with the group. That connection makes NYCFC a strong candidate. The team also has a free Designated Player slot.
Another possibility is the new MLS franchise, San Diego FC. Their sporting director, Tyler Heaps, spoke about De Bruyne. “I talked to the agent…I’ve had conversations with him, but I’ll tell you what, those wages won’t fit our budget at the moment in terms of what his expectations are.”
Still, De Bruyne has other options outside MLS. Two European clubs are in the mix: Fenerbahce and Galatasaray. Saudi Arabian teams are also interested. Among them are Al-Ittihad, Al Nassr, and Neom SC. He has many offers on the table. However, his next move remains unclear. He still has a few months left on his contract. A final decision could come soon.
SURVEY Considering the growing interest from MLS, Europe, and Saudi Arabia, which club do you believe Kevin De Bruyne is most likely to join once his Manchester City contract ends?
Considering the growing interest from MLS, Europe, and Saudi Arabia, which club do you believe Kevin De Bruyne is most likely to join once his Manchester City contract ends?
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