Inter Miami of Major League Soccer (MLS) has unexpectedly become the favorite to sign Lionel Messi this summer.

According to ESPN, a part-ownership option for Inter Miami is one of the contract’s stipulations.

Like they did with David Beckham in 2007, the league would also provide financial assistance to the transfer.

Beckham, who is now a co-owner of Inter Miami, signed with the LA Galaxy with the chance to purchase an MLS team for a $25 million discount.

Negotiations included a percentage of sales from new MLS Season Pass subscribers on Apple TV.

Any arrangement involving Messi and Adidas would only apply to them both and not necessarily the Major League Soccer.

After leaving Paris Saint-Germain, Messi became a free agent and was linked with a return to Barcelona. Saudi Arabian champions Al-Hilal also made a big-money offer to the Argentina captain in an effort to entice him.