Inter Miami look set to add Jordi Alba to their squad, having already signed Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets, but have had to jump through hoops to facilitate these deals.
Major League Soccer has a law for its teams that there can be three designated players in each squad. This ‘Beckham rule’ means that three star players, who can earn outside of the salary cap, are allowed in each team, but this maximum may mean that there is a lot of movement within the league.
At Miami, Rodolfo Pizarro now looks set to be traded away to allow for the arrivals of Messi and Busquets, whilst it appears that Alba will be registered as a non-designated player.
Pizarro recently spoke out against the rules, which could see him moved on elsewhere without having a say in the decision, and The Athletic reported that Alba will not count towards the quota, which currently has Pizarro and Josef Martinez listed.
How can Miami operate with the designated player quota?
Each club is automatically given two designated player spots, and have the option of paying $150k for a third spot. The clubs themselves then have to fund the transfer fee and wages for their designated player, but these players are not bound by the limits of the rest of the squad.
This will allow Messi and Busquets to earn huge salaries, which would otherwise not be possible without being part of the quota. In order to make space for them, Miami will have to move one of Martinez or Pizarro on, and it seems that Pizzaro looks set to be the victim in this case.
If Miami want to add yet another star player, with Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta linked, then they may need to move Martinez on unless they can agree a deal below the salary cap.