Inter Miami spring plan to sign Luis Suarez to partner Lionel Messi despite MLS rules – Paper Round

The Mirror believes that Inter Miami have come up with a way to afford Luis Suarez, despite not planning to sign him as a Designated Player (DP).

By using Targeted Allocation Money instead, they can still offer him a hefty salary without going over DP limits.

“Suarez recently played his final home game for Brazilian club Gremio, bidding an emotional goodbye to their adoring fans. The Uruguayan is closing in on a deal with Inter Miami, although personal terms are yet to be agreed as Gremio conclude the season against Fiuminense this week.

“MLS teams are allowed to sign three players above the salary cap, assigned as Designated Players. However, Messi and another ex Barcelona star Sergio Busquets occupy two spots, while Brazilian midfielder Gregore is the third and final DP.

”Inter Miami are instead expected to use Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) to keep Suarez’s salary below the DP threshold. It would mean the striker would take home a salary of around £158,000 per year, which pales in comparison to some of his previous contracts – but Suarez is eager to reunite with Messi, Busquets and Jordi Alba.

“All teams are allowed up to three Designated Players, whose salaries exceed the league’s Maximum Salary Budget Charge ($651,250 in 2023). Clubs also can use their annual TAM allotment to add to their rosters and buy down existing contracts to open space for new high-priced players. In 2024, the TAM amount available is £1.9million.”

They could instead make a move for their former winger Dominico Berardi, who is impressing at Sassuolo.

“Juventus have had to put their interest in Manchester United exile Jadon Sancho on hold because of one key reason,” the paper writes.

“Sancho is searching for an escape route out of Old Trafford following his public fallout with Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag, who has banished him from the group and axed him from first team plans this season.

“Juventus offered hope of refuge after expressing interest in the English winger ahead of the January transfer window, but it appears they have been forced to back out of talks.

“Sancho is simply too expensive for the Serie A giants, given they will be dealing with a significantly lower transfer budget over the winter window.

“Juventus are also targeting star Sassuolo winger Domenico Berardi, who has impressed with seven goals and three assists so far this season in Serie A.”

Pablo Fornals has had his contract at West Ham extended by a season, but the club could be willing to sell him if the price is right.

The Evening Standard states that given West Ham are looking to buy in the winter transfer, they could let Fornals got to raise funds.

“Fornals had been due to enter the final six months of his deal in the New Year and would therefore have been free to negotiate a summer free transfer with overseas clubs.

“However, the Hammers have activated an option to extend the midfielder’s contract to the end of next season in the hope of recouping a transfer fee for a player who was signed from Villarreal in a £24million deal in 2019.

“The 27-year-old was offered chance to return to the LaLiga club last summer and was also the subject of interest from Saudi Arabia, but the Hammers refused to sanction a sale.

“The Spaniard has not started a Premier League game since the opening day of the season and has relied on the Europa League for regular action but David Moyes is likely to lean on his first-choice line-up more heavily when the knockout stages start after Christmas.

“West Ham are also keen to add to their forward options in January, but may need player sales to increase their budget given financial fair play restrictions.”

While Juventus are reported above to be reluctant to splash out on Jadon Sancho, they are also sceptical about spending to sign Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips for the same reason – high wages.

That opens the door, according to The Sun, to Bayern Munich or Newcastle United trying to land the England international.

“And that could prove to be a sticking point for a move to Italy for the England midfielder.

“Juve are currently at the head of the queue as they are in the market for a new midfielder during the January window.

“However, they are not keen on paying the whole of the 28-year-old’s wages – which are believed to be around £150,000 per week – outright.

“Bayern Munich have also been linked with Phillips and did some business with the treble winners last January when Joao Cancelo moved to Germany.

“Meanwhile, Newcastle are also interested as Eddie Howe looks to bolster his injury-hit squad for the second half of the season.’