Report: Müller set for Vancouver Whitecaps move after Cincinnati deal

Former Bayern Munich icon Thomas Müller is set to sign for MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps, according to media reports in Germany and Canada.

Germany's Bild tabloid reported that the Canadian side has reached an agreement with league rivals FC Cincinnati, who hold the right of first refusal for the 2014 World Cup winner under the MLS Discovery Rights system.

The report said Vancouver will pay the Ohio-based team around €400,000 ($460,000) over the next 12 months for the right to land Müller.

Müller is expected to sign his contract in Vancouver on August 1 and could make his first appearance for the side on August 10 against the San José Earthquakes.

Canadian newspaper The Province earlier reported that the Whitecaps' effort to sign the 35-year-old was "not done but close."

According to recent reports, MLS bosses have sought to push for a deal between the clubs because they fear that the transfer would otherwise fail, losing a potential figurehead for the league.

Each franchise can place up to seven players on its discovery list, which are often not made public.

However, teams can trade or sell Discovery Rights to a player if the holding club cannot reach a deal.

"Contract terms have been agreed between the team and player," The Province said. "Now it’s simply down to the terms of his rights moving from Cincinnati to Vancouver."

According to reports, Müller did not want to move to Cincinnati. Neither the clubs nor the player have commented on the reports.

Müller left Bayern this summer after 25 years of service, having failed to receive a new contract from the German record champions.

On Saturday, he hinted at a move to the MLS in a cowboy-themed video in which he rode a horse on what appeared to be an open plain.