Casemiro, the Brazilian midfielder, is reportedly looking to join Inter Miami when his contract with Manchester United comes to an end this summer. However, there are several challenges that could complicate any potential deal.
The 34-year-old has been a key figure for Manchester United, making 160 appearances and scoring 26 goals in four seasons with the club. His performances have earned him a strong following among the fans, who would prefer to see him stay. Despite this, Casemiro confirmed in January that he will be leaving Old Trafford once his contract expires.
While he has played an important role under Michael Carrick, Manchester United may not be upset about reducing their wage bill, as Casemiro reportedly earns around £350,000 per week. The former Real Madrid player continues to perform at a high level in Europe and is currently part of the Brazil squad for the World Cup this summer.
According to reports, Casemiro is interested in moving to Inter Miami, the David Beckham-owned club that features Lionel Messi as its star player. The Athletic suggests that the MLS team is close to finalizing a deal, but there is a complication due to interest from another American side.
In MLS, there is a unique system called the Discovery List, which allows clubs to name five non-MLS players they want to sign. This puts them at the front of the list for negotiations. LA Galaxy have already claimed the rights to Casemiro by putting him on their Discovery List before Inter Miami.
LA Galaxy have reportedly made multiple offers to Casemiro, but the midfielder is still focused on joining Inter Miami. Clubs have previously paid rivals for Discovery Rights to secure a player, so it is not an insurmountable obstacle for Inter Miami.
However, the club currently has all of its designated players slots filled. This means that any new signing would need to be on a salary significantly lower than what Casemiro was earning at Manchester United—under $2 million (£1.48 million). This could only change if one of Inter Miami’s current stars, such as Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, or German Berterame, were to leave.
Despite these challenges, it seems that Inter Miami is determined to find a solution. Casemiro is preparing to leave Manchester United, where he has developed a strong connection with the fans.
Speaking to United We Stand, Casemiro expressed his admiration for the support he received at Old Trafford. “It’s incredible, just incredible,” he said. “My son (five-year-old Caio) is a Manchester United fan. He knows the songs and sings them at home. When the team loses, he cries.”
He continued: “Our box is right on top of where the noisy United fans are. They feel this spirit. The most important thing about this club are the fans. Many times, we lose a game but in the next game they support us more. For me, that’s incredible. I’ve never experienced that in my career.”
Casemiro’s time at Manchester United has been marked by both success and strong fan support. As he prepares for the next chapter of his career, many are hoping that he can find a way to join Inter Miami despite the obstacles.
