Thomas Müller is setting his sights on Major League Soccer after announcing his departure from Bayern Munich. The 35-year-old German, who spent 25 years with the Bavarian giants, posted a video on Saturday stating he was "headed across the pond," signaling his intention to continue his career in North America.
The "Vancouver Whitecaps" have surprisingly emerged as frontrunners to land the World Cup winner, despite earlier expectations that FC Cincinnati or Los Angeles FC would secure his signature.
"I'm headed across the pond," Müller declared in his video message to fans, confirming rumors that have circulated for weeks about his next career move.
The path to MLS isn't straightforward for the German star, however. FC Cincinnati holds Müller's discovery rights - a mechanism in MLS that gives clubs priority to sign specific international players. Cincinnati is reportedly demanding a fee exceeding what LA Galaxy paid Charlotte for Marco Reus' rights last year, creating a significant obstacle in negotiations.
Interestingly, the Whitecaps weren't initially considered serious contenders. The Canadian club was first mentioned during Wednesday's MLS All-Star game, but they initially dismissed the possibility due to roster constraints - they don't have an open Designated Player spot and need defensive reinforcements more urgently.
Müller's camp has been shopping him around to several MLS clubs. Philadelphia Union was approached but balked at his wage demands. Meanwhile, LAFC - reportedly Müller's preferred destination - has shifted focus to Tottenham's Heung-Min Son instead.
By the way, the situation gained additional urgency when A-League club Sydney FC recently approached the German veteran, prompting MLS officials to discuss potential solutions internally to keep him from heading to Australia instead.
Sources indicate Müller could join on a Targeted Allocation Money deal, similar to Rodrigo De Paul's recent arrangement with "Inter Miami CF." At Vancouver, he would fill the midfield void left by Stuart Armstrong's departure earlier this season.
Despite being 35, the player known as the "Raumdeuter" (space interpreter) brings an impressive resume. Müller has claimed two Champions League titles with Bayern and won the World Cup with Germany in 2014. Would he become the biggest star ever to wear a Whitecaps jersey?
The ball now rests firmly in Cincinnati's court. They hold the discovery rights and, consequently, the keys to Müller's MLS future. Can the Whitecaps pull off what would be one of the biggest coups in the club's history?
