Casemiro is poised to leave Manchester United this summer with MLS sides LA Galaxy and Inter Miami, and Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad, showing interest; roster and foreign-player rules — including MLS designated-player and salary budget constraints and Al Ittihad’s non-Saudi limit — make an immediate move complex, forcing potential roster maneuvers or timing-dependent solutions as the 34-year-old weighs his next destination.
Casemiro set to depart Manchester United
Casemiro, 34, is expected to leave Manchester United at the end of the season after the club opted not to renew his contract. A previously standing clause that could have triggered a one-year extension based on Premier League starts has been waived, clearing the administrative path for his exit.
Contract detail that mattered — and now doesn’t
The waived clause would have extended his deal if he reached 35 Premier League starts. With seven games remaining and 28 starts on the board, the clause had been a potential complicating factor; its removal simplifies transfer planning and confirms United are preparing to replace him this summer.
MLS interest: LA Galaxy and Inter Miami weigh options
Both LA Galaxy and Inter Miami have been linked with interest in signing Casemiro. For MLS clubs, landing a high-profile midfield anchor like Casemiro would be a statement signing — elevating competitiveness and global profile — but league roster rules create significant hurdles.
MLS roster rules and the designated player problem
Casemiro’s likely salary would exceed MLS maximum salary budget charge limits for a standard roster slot, meaning he would need to occupy a designated player (DP) spot. Neither LA Galaxy nor Inter Miami currently have an obvious free DP slot, so any move would require roster engineering: converting an existing DP deal to a targeted allocation money (TAM) contract, moving allocation dollars, or another player departure.
Inter Miami’s midfield landscape
Inter Miami have midfield needs after Sergio Busquets retired following the MLS Cup run. Their current designated players include Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and a forward option, and they carry multiple players on TAM-like contracts. Signing Casemiro would likely force a reallocation of substantial salary budget and one of their premium roster slots, a delicate exercise given Messi’s presence and squad balance.
LA Galaxy’s clearer pathway
LA Galaxy appear to have a more straightforward technical route. With several DPs already, the Galaxy could potentially convert Joao Klauss’ contract to a TAM-style arrangement to free a DP slot. That kind of internal restructuring is the likeliest MLS mechanism to accommodate a player of Casemiro’s wage profile without breaching league salary charge rules.
Saudi Pro League option: Al Ittihad’s constraints
Al Ittihad have also been identified as a viable destination. The Saudi Pro League’s foreign-player rules limit clubs to 10 non-Saudi registrations, including quotas for younger foreign talents, and Al Ittihad currently carry more foreign players than that cap allows. Any move for Casemiro would likely depend on roster turnover, such as the departure of another foreign midfielder on an expiring deal.
What Casemiro brings — and why teams are interested
Casemiro remains one of the world’s most accomplished defensive midfielders: physicality, positional discipline and elite game-management. For MLS clubs, he offers leadership, a screening presence for attacking talents, and marketing value. For a Saudi club, he represents immediate midfield reinforcement with global pedigree.
Implications and likely next steps
The transfer hinges less on desire and more on logistics. MLS suitors must reconcile designated-player constraints and salary budget charges or wait for roster openings; Al Ittihad must resolve foreign-player limits.
Expect negotiations to center on roster engineering, contract structure and timing rather than pure transfer fee drama.
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Casemiro’s final choice will reflect a balance between competitive ambition, contract terms and which club can clear the administrative hurdles first.
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