The rumor mill is churning, and the name on everyone's lips is Casemiro. Sources tell ESPN that Inter Miami, the LA Galaxy, and Saudi Pro League giant Al Ittihad are all eyeing the Manchester United midfielder. It’s a fascinating crossroads for a player who, just a couple of seasons ago, was bossing the midfield for Real Madrid in a Champions League final. He arrived at Old Trafford in August 2022 for a reported £60 million, a hefty sum for a 30-year-old, and immediately injected some much-needed steel into Erik ten Hag's side, helping them to a Carabao Cup triumph and a third-place Premier League finish in 2022-23.
Thing is, last season was a different story. Casemiro struggled with injuries, missing 17 games across all competitions. When he did play, particularly in the latter half of the season, he often looked a step slow, a shadow of the dominant force who once dictated play against the best in Europe. Remember that 4-0 thrashing by Crystal Palace on May 6th? He was caught out repeatedly, playing almost as a makeshift center-back due to United's injury crisis, which, let's be honest, was a disaster waiting to happen. He ended the Premier League campaign with more yellow cards (8) than goals (1) or assists (3), a far cry from his previous season's output of four goals and three assists in 28 league appearances.
For Inter Miami and the LA Galaxy, the appeal is obvious: another global superstar to boost attendance, shirt sales, and — most importantly — on-field performance. Miami already boasts Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, creating a bona fide "Barça retirement home" in South Florida. Adding Casemiro would give them a truly formidable midfield, a destroyer capable of shielding their aging but still brilliant attacking talent. The Galaxy, meanwhile, are trying to reclaim their glory days, having last won MLS Cup in 2014. They've made big moves recently, signing Gabriel Pec for a reported $10 million and Joseph Paintsil for $9 million this past winter. Casemiro would be the kind of marquee signing that truly announces their intent to challenge for silverware again.
Here's the thing: while the lifestyle and less demanding schedule of MLS might appeal to a player entering the twilight of his career, Casemiro still believes he can compete at a high level. His reported wages at United are around £350,000 a week. Any MLS deal would likely involve a significant pay cut, even with Designated Player status. Real talk, if he's chasing one last massive payday, MLS isn't usually the top destination.
Then there's Al Ittihad. The Saudi Pro League has made no secret of its ambition to attract big names, throwing astronomical sums at players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Neymar. Al Ittihad already has N'Golo Kante and Fabinho in their midfield, but adding Casemiro would be another massive statement signing. The financial package from Saudi Arabia would undoubtedly dwarf anything MLS could offer. We're talking life-changing money, even for a player who's already earned tens of millions.
My hot take? While the romantic idea of Casemiro linking up with Messi in Miami is fun, it's not happening. He's too proud, and frankly, too expensive for MLS right now, especially given his recent dip in form. He wants to prove he's still *that* Casemiro. The Saudi league offers a chance to play regular football, albeit in a less competitive environment, for an absurd amount of money. It's a comfortable landing spot where he can still be a big fish.
Look, Casemiro has 75 caps for Brazil and five Champions League medals. He’s a legend. He’ll want to finish his career on his terms, feeling valued. My bold prediction: Casemiro makes the move to Al Ittihad by the end of the summer transfer window, securing one final, colossal contract before hanging up his boots.