Inter Miami CF has emerged as the frontrunner to secure one of soccer’s biggest stars, Kevin De Bruyne, after reports surfaced that the club holds the Belgian midfielder’s discovery rights in Major League Soccer (MLS). This development, first reported by The Athletic and ESPN, positions the South Florida outfit as the exclusive negotiator should De Bruyne opt to bring his talents to the United States, potentially setting the stage for a marquee move that could rival Lionel Messi’s arrival in 2023.
De Bruyne, widely regarded as one of the premier midfielders of his generation, announced last week that he will depart Manchester City as a free agent when his contract expires on June 30, 2025, ending a glittering decade with the Premier League giants. The 33-year-old Belgian, who has won six Premier League titles and a Champions League crown among his 16 trophies with City, now faces a pivotal decision about his next chapter. While interest from Saudi Pro League clubs like Al-Nassr has been noted, De Bruyne’s reported preference for a move to the U.S.—driven by family considerations—has fueled speculation about an MLS landing.
In MLS, the discovery rights system grants a team priority to negotiate with a player not currently under contract with the league. Inter Miami’s possession of De Bruyne’s rights means no other MLS club can engage with him without the Herons’ involvement, giving David Beckham’s franchise a significant edge. Sources indicate that Inter Miami is keen to capitalize on this advantage, with club president Beckham reportedly eager to pair De Bruyne with Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba—forming what could be one of the most star-studded lineups in league history.
However, the path to signing De Bruyne is not without hurdles. MLS roster rules limit teams to three Designated Players (DPs)—those exempt from the salary cap—and Inter Miami already has Messi, Busquets, and Alba in those slots. To accommodate De Bruyne, the club could initially sign him as a Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) player, capping his 2025 salary at $871,875, before potentially restructuring his deal in 2026 to reflect his market value. With over $3.15 million in general allocation money available, Inter Miami has the financial flexibility to make this work, though De Bruyne would not be eligible to play until the league’s secondary transfer window opens on July 24, 2025—ruling him out of the 2025 Club World Cup.
The prospect of De Bruyne joining Messi has sent ripples through the soccer world. The duo, who have never played together at the club level, could form a devastating partnership, blending Messi’s flair with De Bruyne’s pinpoint passing and vision. For Inter Miami, currently second in the Eastern Conference and unbeaten in MLS play this season, such a move would further cement their status as a global soccer powerhouse.
While San Diego FC, an MLS expansion side, previously held De Bruyne’s discovery rights and explored a deal, their sporting director Tyler Heaps recently ruled out a move, citing salary demands that didn’t align with the club’s vision. This shift opened the door for Inter Miami, who now stand alone in pole position.