MLS news: Messi’s future, Klein out, Pukki to Minnesota

Today’s MLS news includes Lionel Messi’s options for the future, the LA Galaxy’s president Chris Klein has left the club and Teemu Pukki has been linked with Minnesota United. 

MLS news: Lionel Messi’s future

Lionel Messi has one more game for Paris Saint-Germain against Clermont Foot this weekend. The Argentine will then leave the French champions with his next destination yet to be announced.

Cesar Luis Merlo states, “Inter Miami made a formal offer to sign Lionel Messi. Leo has a proposal from Al Hilal. He is waiting for the go-ahead from the league (La Liga) to negotiate with Barca. The Argentine will resolve in the next few days what to do.”

If Messi is to join the Herons then it will be one of the biggest signings in North American soccer history. It will be up there with Pele joining the New York Cosmos and David Beckham signing for LA Galaxy.

It would also give Phil Neville’s side who are currently bottom of the Eastern Conference a massive boost. However, no club can compete with the money that the Saudi Arabian side, Al Hilal, is willing to offer. A return to Barcelona seems more romantic than logical, especially with the financial difficulties in sorting out the deal.

MLS news: Chris Klein leaves the Galaxy

The LA Galaxy president Chris Klein has left the club. It is no surprise given the state that he has led the club to. Under Klein, the Galaxy have faced fines and transfer restrictions. Many supporters have turned against their president.

In a statement from La Galaxy, the president and CEO of AEG, Dan Beckerman, said “As a club, we have not achieved our goals or met the standard that we have established for the LA Galaxy.

“We are thankful to Chris for his years of dedication and commitment to the LA Galaxy as both a player and an executive.”

It is a sad end for Klein who made 90 appearances for the Galaxy in MLS and won the Supporters Shield with the side in 2010.

MLS news: Teemu Pukki to Minnesota United

Teemu Pukki has played his last game for Norwich City. The Finnish forward will always be remembered at Carrow Road for his goalscoring exploits.

There have been no indications of where he will play soccer next. However, Will Forbes of MLS Moves has said “I’m told former Norwich striker Teemu Pukki has an offer from Minnesota United. The Finnish international is currently a free agent.”

Pukki has spent his entire career in Europe with teams including Schalke 04, Celtic, Brondby and the Canaries. He is now 33 and coming to the end of his career, so a move to MLS would make sense.

Minnesota is currently sixth in the Western Conference. So they are in a good position to make the playoffs this year. The Loons’ head coach is Adrian Heath who knows English and American soccer well and would be the perfect fit to help Pukki transition from playing in the Championship to MLS.