Luis Suarez is reportedly set to earn just $200,000-per-year at Inter Miami, with that salary being dwarfed by Lionel Messi’s pay packet.
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- Uruguayan striker hitting free agency
- Expected to head for MLS
- Needs to be kept inside salary cap
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WHAT HAPPENED?
In order to reunite two former Barcelona team-mates in Florida, Inter Miami are having to find a way around MLS salary rules. Teams competing in America’s top tier are allowed to have three Designated Players (DP) on their books. These stars can be paid big money above the club’s salary cap.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
At present, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, ex-Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets and Brazilian midfielder Gregore fill those spots at DRV PNK Stadium. Suarez would be expected to take on a similar standing if his proposed switch to the United States as a free agent goes through.
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DID YOU KNOW?
is, however, reporting that the veteran Uruguayan frontman – who is severing ties with Brazilian outfit Gremio – will be paid just $200,000 per annum. That is because Inter Miami are set to use Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) to keep Suarez’s salary below the DP threshold.
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WHAT NEXT FOR SUAREZ & MESSI?
MLS teams can use their annual TAM allocation to buy down existing contracts and free up space for higher earners. Suarez is seemingly happy to play along in order to join forces with Messi once more – with the Argentine icon working on a contract worth at least $50 million (£40m) a year, with those terms topped up by agreements with adidas and Apple TV.