Inter Miami, despite being hamstrung by MLS penalties, is according to multiple outlets pursuing a move for World Cup winner Mario Götze.
Götze, 30, has had a return to form since a 2020 move to PSV, scoring 18 goals and assisting on 18 more in all competitions over the last two seasons. Kicker first reported Miami’s interest, though in the context of Europa League champions Eintracht Frankfurt and Portuguese power Benfica being the more likely suitors.
Still, MLSsoccer.com says that Miami’s interest is serious, with club scouts watching the former Germany international regularly in the Eredivisie, and Kicker notes that Miami’s offer may be the most lucrative of the bunch.
Götze’s deal with PSV reportedly includes a €4 million release clause. While Miami does have an open Designated Player slot, it is not clear that they would be able to make a move with this price tag. After being found to have violated multiple MLS rules—including playing with four Designated Players at once—the club part-owned by David Beckham must operate in 2022 and 2023 with a $2.2 million reduction in allocation money compared to what other MLS clubs receive.
Currently, Miami has two DPs, but neither is a shining example of how to operate in MLS. Rodolfo Pizarro holds one spot despite being on loan with Monterrey, while ex-Argentina and Juventus forward Gonzalo Higuaín has been pushed out of the lineup by young striker Leo Campana over the past couple of months.
Phil Neville’s side has toggled between several formations this year, but with Götze’s outstanding play coming largely as the No. 10 in a 4-2-3-1 at PSV, it stands to reason that Miami would go that route full-time if they manage to convince him to choose MLS over Champions League soccer this year with Frankfurt or (if they qualify) Benfica.
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