Mario Götze is among the latest bunch of foreign players to be linked with big-money moves to MLS sides. The former German international is said to have already met with David Beckham’s Inter Miami, per Fabrizio Romano and MLS insider Tom Bogert. Miami, which has an available Designated Player spot, is among the favorites to trigger Götze’s $4.2 million release clause.
To complete the signing, Miami will face some tough competition. The PSV man also counts Benfica and Eintracht Frankfurt among his suitors, the latter of which can offer Champions League football.
Mario Götze Has Had One Rollercoaster Career
Even the most casual Inter Miami fans will recognize Götze’s name from his heroics for Germany in the 2014 World Cup final. Then 22, Götze came on as a late substitute and scored the extra-time winner that cemented his place in history books.
That goal, coupled with stellar performances for Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, had Götze pegged among the most promising young players in the world.
Götze’s world came crashing down in 2017. Having rejoined Dortmund from Bayern Munich the season before, Götze struggled to find form before being diagnosed with myopathy. With symptoms including muscle weakness, increased fatigue and delayed recovery time, Götze was ruled out indefinitely. After making his return, he never rose to the heights once expected of him at Dortmund.
Since leaving Germany, Götze has undergone a resurgence of sorts. Since his debut with PSV, Götze has contributed 18 goals and 18 assists across all competitions and hit the 50 appearance mark for the first time in his career.
Mario Götze, Cucho Hernandez Among Rumored Foreign Imports
A number of other foreign players are being linked with MLS moves in addition to Götze. Watford’s Cucho Hernandez is close to a DP deal with Columbus Crew. That deal, purportedly for over $10 million, would break Columbus’ record transfer mark by over $2 million.
These purported transfers are in addition to the already completed deals for some big name players. Giorgio Chiellini, Lorenzo Insigne and Héctor Herrera have already been made official at their respective clubs.