David Beckham's Inter Miami To Receive £40,000 Fee From Gareth Bale's Move To LAFC Due To Bizarre MLS Rule

The Wales captain had been linked with a return to British football with his hometown club Cardiff City.

But he has instead opted for sunny California, signing an initial one-year deal with LAFC.

Bale is expected to be officially unveiled by the MLS side later this week.

It has now been reported that LAFC must pay a £40,000 compensation fee to remove Bale from Inter Miami's 'discovery list'.

Under MLS rules, clubs can include up to seven players who they are interested in signing and are not yet under contract with MLS on their own 'discovery list'.

As Bale is on Inter Miami's list, LAFC must now pay their MLS rivals a compensation fee for him to be removed.

While Bale's transfer is yet to be fully confirmed, LAFC co-president John Thorrington has spoken of his desire for the Wales international to remain at the club beyond his initial 12-month deal.

"I'd love to get into specifics but, as policy, I don't,” said Thorrington at a press conference on Sunday.

"What I can tell you is that LAFC and Gareth are hoping that this is a long-term partnership and step for Gareth and his family.

"It was never about six months just for the World Cup. We were always talking about longer term than that. That was very clear from Gareth and his representative.

"Obviously we expect him to be a top, top player for us and in this league, but we will do so sensibly.

"When Gareth is looking at what he needs to do, his priority will be at LAFC, we are absolutely sure of that, but we're not naive to the fact that he, like some other players of ours, have a World Cup on the horizon."