Marco Reus and Lionel Messi link-up off the table? Inter Miami set to miss out on transfer for Borussia Dortmund legend due to key MLS rule

Following Reus' announcement that he was leaving Dortmund after more than 12 years, the 34-year-old was linked with a move to MLS side Inter Miami. However, The Athletic claims Charlotte are in talks to sign the veteran and the fact they have his discovery rights means they have 'top priority' to sign him. The report adds that if Reus were to sign for another MLS team, which is 'unlikely to be cheap', that club would have to acquire his discovery rights from Charlotte.

A link up between Messi and Reus would have been a sight to behold but the Dortmund icon could head to an MLS rival in the coming weeks or months. While the two old-timers may not be team-mates, having Reus in the league is only likely to help grow the division.

In MLS, players who are not currently attached to any team must go through the discovery process for signing. This process involves each MLS team maintaining a specific list known as the "discovery list." On this list, teams can designate up to seven players for whom they have priority rights to sign ahead of other MLS teams. MLS roster regulations state that when another club expresses interest in a player on a team's discovery list and offers $50,000 in general allocation money for the player's discovery rights, the team in possession of the player's rights must respond promptly. They are required to make a "genuine, objectively reasonable offer" to retain the player on their discovery list within a three-day timeframe.

While talks continue over Reus' future, Messi's Miami side take on Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night. They currently sit top of the Eastern Conference by one point, but second-placed Cincinnati have a game in hand.