Inter Miami have secured a key advantage in the race to sign Kevin De Bruyne — but turning that into a deal won’t be easy.
According to The Athletic, the Herons hold the MLS discovery rights to the Belgian playmaker, giving them first dibs to negotiate before any other MLS club. However, De Bruyne’s massive salary and Miami’s already stacked payroll raise big questions about financial feasibility.
Money Talks — And It’s Complicated
De Bruyne earns $26M/year at Manchester City — far above what any MLS club is currently paying.
Inter Miami’s top earners:
- Lionel Messi: $12M
- Sergio Busquets: $8.5M
- Jordi Alba: $1.25M
All three occupy the team’s Designated Player (DP) slots.
For De Bruyne to sign:
- Alba’s contract would likely need to be bought down using General Allocation Money to open up a DP spot.
- Even then, De Bruyne would have to accept a massive pay cut, or settle for a short-term, capped deal until Miami can rework their roster.
Timing is Tricky Too
De Bruyne’s Man City contract expires June 30, right in the middle of the Club World Cup in the U.S.
If he doesn’t renew with City, he can’t play in the tournament for them.
He’d also be ineligible for Inter Miami until July 24, when the MLS secondary transfer window opens.
What’s Next?
If a Miami move proves unworkable, the club could trade De Bruyne’s discovery rights to another MLS team willing to match his value — opening a new front in the MLS arms race.
Bottom line: Inter Miami wants De Bruyne. He’s interested in the U.S. But unless someone makes serious sacrifices, this deal might be more dream than reality.
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