Mystery MLS Club Pursues Bayern Munich Legend Thomas Muller in Shocking Transfer Bid
A fresh MLS franchise has entered the race for Thomas Müller as Vancouver Whitecaps FC from Canada have reportedly initiated discussions with the FC Bayern Munich icon.
Per TransferMarkt's Manuel Veth, the Whitecaps haven't reached any agreement with Müller yet, but have investigated the route that would enable them to secure his services, which would require obtaining his MLS Discovery Rights from FC Cincinnati.
The 35-year-old striker recently told Sky Sports Germany that he maintains a "hunger to continue playing football," and suggested that an MLS team could be his next destination.
"It will certainly be an overseas adventure for me – I'm genuinely excited about it and I'm intrigued," the player with 756 Bayern Munich matches said. "MLS is, naturally, a compelling league, particularly with the World Cup happening in the U.S. next year."
Multiple MLS teams have been previously connected with Müller, including FC Cincinnati, who he allegedly turned down earlier this summer. Additionally, a commercial alliance between Bayern Munich and LAFC connected the two clubs, but LAFC seems to be chasing Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-Min.
The Philadelphia Union were also associated with Müller, but dismissed the possibility, with sporting director Ernst Tanner stating the German striker's salary requirements were excessive for the Union's typical systematic approach to squad construction.
Vancouver Whitecaps Are a Surprise Club
While the Vancouver link remains in its preliminary phases, the club maintains solid connections to German football through its sporting director and CEO, Axel Schuster. Prior to joining the Canadian organization, Schuster served three years as football director with FC Schalke 04, during which they competed in the Bundesliga and took part in the UEFA Champions League.
On Thursday, however, he dampened initial speculation about Müller's potential arrival. Furthermore, securing the striker would surprise many, given the Whitecaps have never recruited an aging European superstar since entering MLS in 2011.
"Our circumstances are quite straightforward, and everyone understands that we don't have a DP position available, and we cannot even create one because we chose the [2 DP, 4 U22 Initiative player] structure, and we cannot modify this during the season," Schuster explained on the Sekeres and Price Podcast, also mentioning the club seeks defensive reinforcement following two season-ending injuries to crucial players.
"There is nothing additional to mention, though as a German, there's nothing negative they can say about Thomas and nothing wrong with thinking that would be fantastic too, but we are operating in reality."
The Whitecaps presently hold second place in the MLS Western Conference following 21 matches, and recently transferred midfielder Pedro Vite to Pumas UNAM in Liga MX.
Nevertheless, to make Müller the club's inaugural marquee European acquisition, they would need to secure his rights from Cincinnati, and probably create a DP position, which could potentially be accomplished by placing currently-injured captain Ryan Gauld on the season-ending injury roster.