MLS
San Diego launch “megaproject”- could this be Inter Miami 2.0?
The new franchise, which will land in the MLS in 2025, will seek to compete head-to-head with the Herons. De Bruyne, Modric, Ramos...
While Inter Miami gains momentum on its path to becoming champions of the United States, another franchise is moving to try to emulate David Beckham’s formula. San Diego FC is beginning to take shape a year before its debut in the MLS. The Californian franchise has initiated initial contacts with several footballers to create its own ‘galáctico plan.’ Several European football stars are reportedly considering accepting the club’s offer.
Ambitious San Diego plan taking shape
San Diego’s project is by far one of the most intriguing in recent years. The city’s goal, having secured a license for a record $500 million, the most expensive in league history, is to compete for the league title from the first minute, making a significant financial investment in signings. Several names that the club’s management has leaked to the country’s press, the first being Sergio Ramos.
The Spanish defender’s contract expires in June, and he will not renew with Sevilla. According to The Athletic, the player’s camp is already negotiating to land in San Diego starting in January, but he would not be the only one. From Spain, there is speculation that the franchise will attempt to fish from Real Madrid next summer. Several of the club’s most veteran stalwarts (Modric and Nacho) are either debating or may already have sealed their departure from the Merengues. The case of the Spaniard is the clearest; he will leave the team, and MLS is already bidding for him, but there are still doubts regarding the Croatian.
In France, a discard from PSG would also be on the franchise’s list. Keylor Navas, who bid his final farewell last weekend amid several controversies. The goalkeeper’s case is more complicated; although he would already have offers to continue playing, he has not yet decided his future. However, San Diego will spare no expense in organizing its squad for a much-anticipated debut.
De Bruyne, the great dream
Beyond having sounded out the Madrid players, San Diego would have more targets outside the orbit of the Santiago Bernabéu. As journalist Graeme Bailey reported, the Californians will try to convince Kevin De Bruyne to join the project once his contract with Manchester City expires (ends in the summer of 2025).
The future of the Belgian has been closely linked to Saudi Arabia, although “the player himself would prefer a more normal destination like the United States.” Bailey himself points out that De Bruyne’s contract would be comparable to that of Lionel Messi, with several sponsors looking to get involved in the business.