Inter Miami owns Kevin De Bruyne’s MLS discovery rights, paving the way for a potential summer transfer. Could he follow Messi to the Herons?
Kevin De Bruyne, the talented Belgian midfielder who plays for Manchester City, may be on his way to Major League Soccer (MLS) soon. Inter Miami was confirmed by sources to have its discovery rights, which means the Florida club has the sole right to negotiate with De Bruyne if he were to make the switch to MLS.
De Bruyne, 33, recently went public on social media that he will be leaving Manchester City at the close of the current season when his contract comes to an end. His exit ends an era when he assisted City to dominate English football, winning six Premier League titles as well as an array of other high-profile honors, the Champions League among them.
The question now is where his next destination will be. De Bruyne has been City’s main man since 2015, and while the player hasn’t publicly mentioned any new destinations, the fact that Inter Miami retains his discovery rights may place the club in pole position. Under MLS rules, clubs can place players on their “discovery list,” essentially ensuring the first chance to start negotiating with the player.
Inter Miami’s sporting outlook experienced a major transformation when the club signed Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets. The recent high-profile signings have made the team stronger, so a possible De Bruyne addition would take the club to increased heights at both the MLS level and in international competitions.
The coming 2025 season will be active for Miami, and preparations are already underway. The Herons may gain valuable silverware opportunities through the Club World Cup and Leagues Cup events because De Bruyne brings extensive high-pressure competition expertise. The strategic relationship between Messi and De Bruyne would develop into one of the strongest central midfield pairings that MLS has seen in recent times.
All other teams in MLS must pay attention since Miami maintains strong competition in the league. The possibility of De Bruyne joining other MLS teams like San Diego FC remains a challenge due to his high acquisition costs.
San Diego FC sporting director Tyler Heaps previously confirmed their team would not be able to cover De Bruyne’s salary demands when he explained expanding team San Diego FC would never sign him in 2025. Since the Miami team benefits from financial backing, it appears more likely De Bruyne will join with its commitment to acquire top-class players.
The prospect of a switch to MLS has always fascinated some of the greatest European talent, and with De Bruyne’s deal coming to an end soon, it’s little wonder that MLS teams are starting to position themselves for what would be a newsmaking transfer.
As De Bruyne bids City adieu in preparation for ending his remarkable career, supporters remain wondering where he will head for his next exploit. If he is bound for Miami, then the MLS sphere could witness an earthquake, something that will continue to be felt far beyond its borders and engulf football fans the world over.
In the end, this rumored switch to Inter Miami, where De Bruyne would potentially join Lionel Messi in what many are already dubbing a new age of MLS, might be one of the most thrilling transfers to observe this summer.
