$50m vs $200k! How Luis Suarez reunion with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami is possible as Uruguayan striker agrees to salary dwarfed by former Barcelona team-mate

In order to reunite two former Barcelona team-mates in Florida, Inter Miami are having to find a way around MLS salary rules. Teams competing in America’s top tier are allowed to have three Designated Players (DP) on their books. These stars can be paid big money above the club’s salary cap.

At present, eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi, ex-Barca midfielder Sergio Busquets and Brazilian midfielder Gregore fill those spots at DRV PNK Stadium. Suarez would be expected to take on a similar standing if his proposed switch to the United States as a free agent goes through.

The Mirror is, however, reporting that the veteran Uruguayan frontman – who is severing ties with Brazilian outfit Gremio – will be paid just $200,000 per annum. That is because Inter Miami are set to use Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) to keep Suarez’s salary below the DP threshold.

MLS teams can use their annual TAM allocation to buy down existing contracts and free up space for higher earners. Suarez is seemingly happy to play along in order to join forces with Messi once more – with the Argentine icon working on a contract worth at least $50 million (£40m) a year, with those terms topped up by agreements with adidas and Apple TV.