Casemiro has completed a free‑transfer move to Inter Miami after parting ways with Manchester United. The Brazilian midfielder secured a contract that runs through the conclusion of the 2027 Major League Soccer season, with an additional clause that could extend his stay until 2029 if both parties agree. However, the league has announced that it is probing Inter Miami for possible "tampering" related to the deal, a situation that could potentially affect the legitimacy of the signing.
During his four‑year spell at Old Trafford, Casemiro made a notable impact. He found the net in the 2023 League Cup final, helped the team reach two FA Cup finals – lifting the trophy in 2024 – and was a key figure in United’s run to the Europa League final in May 2025. His contributions on the pitch were complemented by a resurgence in form during his final 18 months, where he fought back into the starting eleven after initially falling out of favour under former head coach Ruben Amorim.
Under the guidance of Michael Carrick, who succeeded Amorim, the 34‑year‑old enjoyed his most prolific scoring season at United, tallying nine goals, five of which came in just 15 appearances. Upon announcing his arrival in Miami, Casemiro spoke about his motivations: "What drives me the most, and I think this is true for every player, is winning and continuing to grow.
The project the club presented to me, along with the effort everyone made to bring me here, means a lot to me," he said. He added, "I'm incredibly grateful, and I can't wait to get started so I can repay that trust, not only during the 90 minutes on matchday, but every day in training as well. All I can say is thank you, and I'll give everything I have to return the affection and confidence the club has shown me." Casemiro originally joined Manchester United in August 2022 on a deal that included an option for a 12‑month extension at the end of the season. According to Sky Sports News, United chose not to activate that clause and opted not to renew his contract, a decision that was reportedly made well before the season concluded.
The MLS investigation stems from allegations that Inter Miami may have engaged in improper negotiations with the player before his free‑agency status was officially recognised. In a statement released shortly after the signing was announced, the league said it had opened an inquiry, was gathering all relevant information, and would refrain from further comment until the review was complete. The league also confirmed that Inter Miami and LA Galaxy had reached a settlement concerning Casemiro's Discovery Priority rights, but indicated that the details of that agreement would be disclosed only after the tampering investigation concluded.
Under MLS rules, any club that has previously listed a player in its discovery database must negotiate those rights before the player can be signed by another team outside the draft or free‑agency mechanisms. LA Galaxy held Casemiro's discovery rights before he elected to join Miami, prompting the need for a settlement. Both clubs have been tight‑lipped about the specific terms, stating they will be revealed once the league finishes its probe. The potential penalties for violating MLS tampering regulations have not been outlined, and no timeline has been provided for when the investigation might wrap up.
In the meantime, Inter Miami has affirmed that it acquired the player's discovery rights from the Galaxy as part of the overall agreement, and LA Galaxy posted on the social platform X that a settlement had been reached, with the specifics to be released after the league's review. Beyond the Casemiro saga, Manchester United has been active in the transfer market, adding Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans to its squad this summer. The club is still reportedly searching for a third midfielder to bolster its options in the middle of the park. Meanwhile, other news items have surfaced, such as Alex Scott turning down a new contract with Bournemouth despite interest from Arsenal, Chelsea, and United.
Bournemouth, however, has indicated it does not intend to sell the midfielder, who is entering the final two years of his contract, and has rebuffed approaches from the Premier League trio. In summary, while Casemiro's move to Inter Miami marks a new chapter for the Brazilian star and adds significant experience to the MLS side, the surrounding controversy over possible tampering introduces uncertainty. The league's ongoing investigation will determine whether any sanctions are imposed and whether the settlement between Miami and LA Galaxy will stand as is.
Fans of both clubs, as well as followers of the player's career, will be watching closely as the situation unfolds, hoping for a resolution that allows Casemiro to focus on contributing on the field and helping Inter Miami achieve its competitive ambitions.