Thomas Müller set to join Vancouver Whitecaps - Deal in place for Bayern legend

After 25 years as a Bayern Munich player, Thomas Müller is headed for a new adventure. The 35-year-old has set his sights on Major League Soccer as his next destination. On Saturday, Müller posted a video in which he stated that he was "headed across the pond," where he is now set to join the Vancouver Whitecaps. For a long time, FC Cincinnati, who hold his discovery rights and Bayern’s partner club, Los Angeles FC, have been thought of as the most likely destination for the 2014 World Cup winner. But on Saturday, a new favorite has emerged in the form of the Whitecaps.

The main obstacle were FC Cincinnati, who owned Müller’s discovery rights and, according to league sources, were asking for a significant fee north of what the LA Galaxy paid for Marco Reus’ discovery rights to Charlotte last year. But Transfermarkt understands that there was a breakthrough in talks between the Whitecaps and Cincinnati on Monday. As also reported by GiveMeSport journalist Tom Bogert, the 'Caps are now expected to pay $400,000 GAM Müller's rights. The Whitecaps were initially mentioned as a potential landing spot during the MLS All-Star game on Wednesday. At this point, the topic wasn’t that hot. Müller was offered to the Whitecaps through a league intermediary, but the Vancouver club didn’t think a move was possible. Needs elsewhere are more pressing. The Whitecaps don’t have an open DP spot and need additions for the backline. That seemed to be the end of the story.

Indeed, getting Müller to MLS seemed to be trickier than his camp and the league itself anticipated. Müller was offered to several clubs in the league. One of them was the Philadelphia Union. However, according to a report by the Philadelphia Inquirer, wages were considered a significant obstacle. While wages were considered a primary concern for some clubs, the process of acquiring the discovery rights from Cincinnati has been described as the bigger issue by league sources. It is why LAFC, who were Müller’s preferred destination all along, have targeted Korean winger Heung-Min Son from Tottenham Hotspur. Indeed, reports suggesting that Müller had turned down LAFC aren't accurate. The truth is that the Los Angeles club couldn't make a deal work and, therefore, focused on other targets. 

Thomas Müller to Vancouver Whitecaps – A complicated path to MLS

How did we get here? With the Union out, LAFC looking at other targets, and Cincinnati not being a preferred destination, sources have told Transfermarkt that the league was worried that Müller could head elsewhere. In recent days, A-League club Sydney FC have approached Müller. That has brought urgency to the situation, with the league discussing internally solutions to make a deal happen. By consulting multiple sources, Transfermarkt understands that Müller is available on a Targeted Allocation Money deal, similar to the one Rodrigo De Paul recently signed with Inter Miami CF. Officially, the Whitecaps weren't allowed to discuss contract terms with Müller until they had acquired his rights. That obstacle is now gone. The Whitecaps are now ready to sign Müller on a max Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) deal worth around $1.7m for this year with the prospect of the German becoming a DP next season. 

As for his role in the squad, Müller would finally fill the void that Stuart Armstrong left at the start of the season. Indeed, the Whitecaps have long sought a transition midfielder and have considered multiple targets in Europe. Müller would now be the big solution but also the biggest star ever to wear a Whitecaps jersey. Although 35, the Raumdeuter is considered one of the football greats. Müller has won the Champions League twice with Bayern and the World Cup with Germany. Whether Müller will end up in Vancouver or MLS all depends on Cincinnati. They hold the discovery rights and the keys to Müller's arrival in the league.