DAVID BECKHAM’S Major League Soccer franchise Inter Miami has received a big boost in their pursuit of Lionel Messi.
It comes after league commissioner Don Garber sensationally promised it would help the club to complete a deal for Messi.
The Paris Saint-Germain ace is out of contract at the end of the season.
And Inter Miami have made no secret of their targeting of Messi as they aim to beat the likes of Barcelona, PSG and clubs from Saudi Arabia to his signature.
On a potential deal for Messi, Garber told The Athletic: “You’re dealing with perhaps the most special player in the history of the game.
“So when there are rumours of him connected to Miami, that’s great.
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“And if it could happen, it would be terrific for MLS, it would be terrific for Messi and his family, and like everything with us, we try to run every opportunity down.”
As it stands, the league’s highest-paid player is Toronto FC’s Lorenzo Insigne, who has a deal with a base salary of £11.6million ($14m).
However, the report stipulates Messi is on a deal worth at least £25m net a year at PSG, excluding bonuses and the reportedly huge sign-on.
But Garber explained the MLS would try to structure a deal and “compensate” Messi and his family.
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He added: “Teams have the flexibility to do unique things.
“MLS is a single entity. If you’re selling something that the collective owns, the collective has to approve that.
“So whatever (Inter Miami co-owner) Jorge (Mas) decides, with (MLS executive vice president) Todd (Durbin’s) help to structure something, if we have the opportunity to do that, it’s going to be outside the box…
“We’re gonna have to structure a deal that’s going to compensate him in ways that he and his family expect.
“What that is? Honestly, we don’t know today, but he’s probably not going to be a (targeted allocation money) player.”
The MLS operate with a Designated Player rule – nicknamed after Beckham – which allows clubs to sign up to three players outside of their salary cap.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
