Casemiro's Inter Miami move stalls as LA Galaxy demand £750,000 in discovery rights

Casemiro’s move to Inter Miami is being held up by a £750,000 discovery rights claim from LA Galaxy, complicating what had appeared to be a straightforward exit from Manchester United when his contract expires this summer.

LA Galaxy were the first MLS club to register interest in the Brazilian midfielder, holding talks with Casemiro and his representatives earlier in the season and making a formal contract offer. Under MLS discovery list regulations, that gives Galaxy priority negotiating rights over any player not already on an MLS roster and not eligible via other routes such as the draft. Each MLS club is permitted to place up to five players on their discovery list, though inclusion does not guarantee a signing.

Despite Galaxy’s offer, Casemiro has made clear he wants to join David Beckham’s Inter Miami franchise. The midfielder visited the club with his family and has since agreed personal terms to play alongside Lionel Messi in the MLS next season. Galaxy’s £750,000 demand for their discovery rights is now the primary obstacle standing between Casemiro and that move.

Back at Old Trafford, United have already moved to fill the void. The club have agreed a £39 million deal to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson — a fellow Brazilian — with a medical planned for later this month. Ederson is set to become the first signing of Michael Carrick’s tenure as permanent manager.

Casemiro himself reportedly gave United his blessing to pursue the deal. Teammate Matheus Cunha, speaking to Spanish outlet AS, revealed he had tried to persuade the veteran to stay. “All the Manchester United fans and I did,” Cunha said. “Casemiro is one of our club’s great players, and he would undoubtedly help us a lot if he stayed here. He was one of the players who welcomed me with open arms when I arrived, and I’m very grateful to him for that. If I could, I’d make him stay with us for another year. I wish him every success in the future.”