Casemiro joins Inter Miami — but MLS opens tampering investigation into the deal

Inter Miami have officially announced the signing of Brazilian midfielder Casemiro on a free transfer, but the move has immediately triggered an investigation from Major League Soccer over alleged tampering. The 34-year-old former Manchester United star joins the reigning MLS champions after his contract at Old Trafford expired. While several clubs across different leagues expressed interest, the chance to live in Miami and play alongside Lionel Messi convinced Casemiro to take a significant pay cut to fit under the league's strict salary rules. Inter Miami have already used their three Designated Player slots, meaning Casemiro's salary will likely fall well below the $1 million mark unless the club can apply Targeted Allocation Money to offset a larger wage. The club recently sold Benjamin Cremaschi to Parma, which freed up General Allocation Money to help cover the compensation required for Casemiro's Discovery Rights. Those Discovery Rights are at the heart of the MLS probe. The LA Galaxy held the priority option to negotiate with Casemiro and had actively pursued him. The Galaxy argue that Miami had no right to hold talks without first acquiring those rights. The rights have since been traded, but the final compensation package will be influenced by the league's findings. Ironically, the Galaxy themselves faced a similar situation in 2024 when they signed Marco Reus while Charlotte held his Discovery Rights, eventually paying $400,000 in compensation. Miami's previous run-ins with MLS over salary cap breaches — including sanctions for the Blaise Matuidi and Andrey Reyes deals — add further context to the investigation. Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas called the signing a statement of intent: "Casemiro's arrival reflects the vision and ambition that define Inter Miami. We never settle. We're always looking to grow, improve, and raise our standards every season." Casemiro himself said he is driven by the pursuit of more trophies: "What motivates me the most, and I think this is true for every player, is winning and continuing to grow. The project here excites me."