'De Bruyne to Inter Miami!' makes great silly-season reading, but it's not true | OneFootball

"Dreaming is free," according to the iconic New Wave band Blondie in the 1979 hit "Dreaming." But football players aren't.

Sure, it's fun to imagine Inter Miami with a midfield of Casemiro, Rodrigo De Paul and Kevin De Bruyne, a backline with Sergio Ramos, and an attack featuring Messi, Suárez and Neymar laying waste to MLS, but it's just not financially realistic. Still, each transfer period writers flood the internet with "reports" of Inter Miami's interest in this or that high-profile player.

Beginning Sunday, multiple online posts reported Inter Miami's interest in superstar midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, the former Belgium and Manchester United star who is said to be unhappy at Napoli:

"Inter Miami’s predicted XI if Kevin De Bruyne signs: How many veteran superstars!?" -- Planet Football

"De Bruyne targeted by Inter Miami, San Diego and Chicago Fire after Napoli frustration" -- Football Italia

"Transfer Rumors: Messi, De Bruyne Join Forces; Salah Eyes Shock Madrid Move" -- Sports Illustrated

These headlines are the definition of "click bait." There's nothing wrong with it, really; news publishers have been writing attention-grabbing headlines since news became a commodity. Inter Heron is published by FanSided, which monetizes its content as part of its business mode. The difference is that we don't claim to report breaking news; our content features match reactions and opinion pieces on topics related to Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami.

Stories like the ones shared above are essentially harmless, as long as reporters don't forget words like "rumored" or "allegedly," and readers don't forget to be skeptical.

So, is De Bruyne coming to Inter Miami? Never say never, but it's not likely. The rumor already has been refuted:

"Report De Bruyne ready to stay at Napoli for 2026-27 season" -- Football Italia (The same reporter, Suzy Campanale, wrote both stories for the publication less than seven hours apart).

"No talks between Inter Miami, Kevin De Bruyne - source" -- ESPN

The Major League Soccer secondary transfer period -- more aptly called the "silly season" for football punditry -- is open through Sept. 2 and teams can sign free agents through Oct. 9. Inter Miami may acquire more players before the deadline, but they've already added legendary Brazilian midfielder Casemiro and teen phenom Fricio Caicedo; I'll be very surprised if any signing is more than a depth piece.

But it's OK to keep dreaming; dreaming is free.