Inter Miami hold discovery rights to De Bruyne for potential MLS move

Inter Miami CF have secured the discovery rights to Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne, sources confirmed to ESPN, setting the stage for a blockbuster MLS move that could see the Belgian midfielder join forces with Lionel Messi in South Florida.

The 33-year-old recently announced that he will leave Manchester City at the end of the season when his contract expires. De Bruyne, who joined City in 2015, has played a pivotal role in the club’s dominance, collecting six Premier League titles, a Champions League, five Carabao Cups, two FA Cups, and two Community Shields during his glittering spell at the Etihad.

Inter Miami hold the discovery rights for Manchester City player Kevin De Bruyne, sources told ESPN’s @lizzy_becherano, setting up a scenario in which the Belgian playmaker could join Lionel Messi in south Florida 🤯👀

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— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) April 8, 2025

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With De Bruyne set to become a free agent, Inter Miami’s discovery rights mean they have the exclusive opportunity to open negotiations with him, per MLS regulations. These rules allow clubs to list up to five players on their discovery list, effectively granting them the first chance to sign the player if he chooses to join Major League Soccer.

Although De Bruyne had previously been linked with 2025 expansion side San Diego FC, sporting director Tyler Heaps admitted last summer that the club couldn’t meet the financial demands required to land the Belgium international.

“I’ve had conversations with him, but… those wages won’t fit our budget at the moment,” Heaps stated.

Inter Miami, however, may be better positioned to make such a high-profile signing. With Lionel Messi already leading a star-studded lineup that includes Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets, De Bruyne could be the final piece to bolster the squad ahead of a packed 2025 schedule.

The Herons are set to compete in several international tournaments next year, including the Club World Cup and the Leagues Cup, alongside the regular MLS season.

In his emotional farewell message to Manchester City fans, De Bruyne wrote: “These will be my final months as a Manchester City player… This club, this city, these people — gave me everything. I had no choice but to give everything back. And guess what — we won everything.”