MLS stuns Europe as three clubs chase Thomas Müller in shock move | OneFootball

When a name like Thomas Müller starts lagging behind in Munich, it does not merely feel like the end of the cycle, it feels like a page being turned in European football, signed and sealed. The 35-year-old striker is nearing the end of his contract at Bayern Munich. And according to appearances, there will be no fireworks or surprise extension. While the club balances the team, it also does its accounts. And on that balance sheet, Müller is heavy.

FC Bayern München v FC St. Pauli 1910 - Bundesliga | Alexander Hassenstein/GettyImages

It's strange, close to surreal, to picture the most capped Bayern player (742 to date) as a supporting actor. That's exactly what he has become this season. He has played 34 games, scored five goals, provided five assists, and played just 1,259 minutes in total. That's 37 per game, on average, which means most of his time has been in cameo roles, end-game subs, mop-up duty, or when the game's already over. Müller made himself a selection, not an option. At a salary of €17 million a year, he's among the highest-paid players on the roster. But that amount now appears more in line with his past than with his future. Bayern, already planning ahead for the Club World Cup in the United States next June, knows the bill is coming due. Cutting costs is now a top priority. Legends do age. And sometimes, the end comes softly, with no scandal, only a quiet nod and formal goodbye.

MLS comes into view

As his Munich experience is set to end, opportunities start to emerge. And the most glaring one at the moment seems to be MLS. German media like Bild and Sky Sports Germany claim that Müller's name is already being thrown around by a number of American clubs, with FC Cincinnati and San Diego FC being the leading contenders in the initial talks. Both parties are on the up and there is space for a player who, even near the close of his peak years, still has the baggage of a World Cup, Champions League titles, and an iconic number. But there's more. LAFC looks like a "strategic" destination.

The club has a direct affiliation with Bayern and might employ Müller as a sort of official ambassador between the German brand and the U.S. market. And let's be honest, if the plan is to feature the image of a club legend, placing him in the same nation where Bayern will be competing in the Club World Cup, under all the spotlights available, makes complete sense.

Retaining Müller in MLS isn't just a chance to add a few more years of playing time.

FC Bayern München v FC St. Pauli 1910 - Bundesliga | Sebastian Widmann/GettyImages

It's also a smart business move

Bayern wants to expand its presence in America, one of the globe's most commercially dynamic sports markets, and having someone familiar out on the pitch might be more persuasive than a thousand commercials. On that front, Müller is the perfect candidate: a cleats-on ambassador. He's witty, articulate, and renowned for his sharp tongue, even in postgame press conferences. If the move to the U.S. happens, it would not be a case of tactics. It would be a well-thought-out plot wedded to sporting interest, brand extension, and legacy. And for those knowledgeable about the German club culture, that is business as usual. It's planning for two reasons.

MLS as asylum for soccer royalty? Not exactly

With Messi turning up at Inter Miami and Busquets, Alba, and Suárez vying for the attention, MLS has once again become a destination for European superstars.

However, to say Müller would be just doing the same thing is to overlook the issue. The rhythm of play in the league in America positively demands an adaptation.

It's not a slow-paced league. And if he does depart, he'll have to discover more than a job as "ex-star." Or else, the risk is becoming a name that came in with a boom and left a whimper. What Müller has to offer is his game IQ, physical exertion, and tactical mind, all of which can be fitted into any environment. Even without that instant of speed, he can still be a factor with a piercing pass, a good placement, or a stinging one-liner at the end of a game. He's a guy who makes noise on and off the pitch. That's what MLS clubs want, a player who plays and sells.