Inter Miami have announced the signing of former Manchester United midfielder Casemiro on a free transfer, but the move has prompted an investigation by Major League Soccer.
The Brazil captain joins the reigning US champions following the expiration of his contract at Old Trafford, a transfer that had been widely anticipated in recent weeks. Casemiro reportedly chose Miami due to the lifestyle and the opportunity to play alongside Lionel Messi.
The 34-year-old faced interest from clubs in multiple countries, but ultimately agreed to a deal with Inter Miami that required a significant pay cut due to the club already being at their Designated Player limit. He is likely to earn less than $1 million annually unless Inter Miami utilize Targeted Allocation Money to increase his salary.
MLS is investigating potential tampering violations related to the acquisition of Casemiro. The league’s Discovery Rights process is at the center of the issue, as the LA Galaxy held those rights for the player. The Galaxy had engaged in discussions with Casemiro regarding a potential move, but Inter Miami reportedly held talks with him without first securing the rights from the California club.
The Galaxy are arguing that Inter Miami should not have been permitted to negotiate with Casemiro without first acquiring his Discovery Rights, and the compensation Miami will pay for those rights will be partially determined by the outcome of the MLS investigation. Interestingly, the Galaxy were themselves previously sanctioned for similar actions when signing Marco Reus, resulting in a $400,000 fine.
Inter Miami recently sold Benjamin Cremaschi to Parma, which has provided them with additional General Allocation Money to facilitate the payment to the Galaxy. This situation highlights ongoing concerns about Inter Miami’s compliance with MLS rules, as the club was previously penalized in 2021 for salary cap breaches and underreporting player compensation.
Despite the scrutiny, there is a growing sentiment, including from players like Lionel Messi, that MLS should consider relaxing its spending rules and increasing the salary cap to attract more high-profile players and enhance the league’s overall quality. Inter Miami’s managing owner, Jorge Mas, emphasized that Casemiro’s arrival demonstrates the club’s ambition to become a global benchmark for success.
Casemiro expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and his commitment to helping Inter Miami win more trophies. His initial contract runs through the 2027 spring season, with an option to extend until 2029, and he may eventually be offered a Designated Player contract after further roster adjustments by the club.
