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29th Jun 2022

Bizarre MLS rule means Inter Miami will get compensation for Gareth Bale transfer

Daniel Brown

Inter Miami put Bale in their ‘discovery list’

Los Angeles FC will reportedly have to pay a compensation fee to Major League Soccer (MLS) rivals Inter Miami after signing Gareth Bale on a free transfer.

The Wales international left Real Madrid after nine years at the club and announced that he would be moving to MLS to play for LAFC.

However, it appears that Inter Miami were interested in a deal for the 32-year-old and put him in their ‘discovery list’ this summer, as reported by Spanish outlet Diario AS.

As per the league’s regulations, clubs in MLS can include just seven players on their wish list.

Therefore, it is reported that LAFC will now have to pay a £40,000 ($50,000) compensation to remove Bale from Inter Miami’s list.

LAFC hopeful Bale will stay beyond World Cup

While LAFC are yet to comment on the length of Bale’s contract with the club, co-president John Thorrington is hopeful that the Welshman will remain in Los Angeles beyond the Qatar World Cup in November.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Thorrington said: “I’d love to get into specifics but, as policy, I don’t.

“What I can tell you is that LAFC and Gareth are hoping that this is a long-term partnership and step for Gareth and his family.

“It was never about six months just for the World Cup. We were always talking about longer term than that. That was very clear from Gareth and his representative.

“Obviously we expect him to be a top, top player for us and in this league, but we will do so sensibly.

“When Gareth is looking at what he needs to do, his priority will be at LAFC, we are absolutely sure of that, but we’re not naive to the fact that he, like some other players of ours, have a World Cup on the horizon.”

Bale set to make debut next month

Thorrington also suggested that Bale – who scored 106 goals for Los Blancos – could make his LAFC debut next month against local rivals LA Galaxy.

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