MLS clubs Inter Miami and LA Galaxy, along with Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad, are interested in signing Manchester United midfielder Casemiro on a free transfer for next season, sources have told ESPN.
Casemiro announced in January that he will leave United once his contract with the Premier League club expires on June 30.
Sources told ESPN at the time that, at 34, the Brazil international still feels he has the ability to continue his career in one of Europe’s top leagues.
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However, Miami and the Galaxy are among the clubs to have contacted Casemiro in recent days, though no formal offers have yet been made, sources confirmed to ESPN Brazi’s Felipe Silva and Pedro Ivo Almeida.
There would be challenges to a deal for both teams, with the Galaxy and Miami already having their full quota of designated player slots filled on their roster.
News of the interest from Inter Miami and the LA Galaxy was first reported by The Athletic.
Sources have also told ESPN’s Rodra and Moises Llorens that Al Ittihad are closely monitoring the situation and are keen to tempt him to Saudi Arabia.
Al Ittihad already have high-profile players with a European background in their squad in the form of former Liverpool star Fabinho, but they are scouting the market for a big-name star after Karim Benzema left the team in February to join Al Hilal.
And sources said that the potential signing of Casemiro is linked to the future of Fabinho himself.
The former Liverpool midfielder, who joined Al Ittihad in 2023, will be out of contract this summer, and it remains to be seen whether he will extend his deal or leave on a free transfer.
Caesmiro’s subsequent return to form under Michael Carrick has led to calls for United to keep the Brazil midfielder beyond the end of the season.
United fans chanted “one more year” at the Brazilian after he scored in the 3-1 win over Aston Villa on March 15.
Sources have told ESPN that there is unlikely to be a U-turn, but teammate Leny Yoro has revealed the players wanted the club to keep the 34-year-old.
“Everyone wanted him to stay, he’s a player [who is] really important for us,” Yoro said.
“Even in the dressing room, every day, he has the experience that no one else has in the team.
“He won everything, so this helped us a lot in the games and even outside the pitch.”
United still have the option to trigger a one-year extension in Casemiro’s contract, although it was agreed mutually with the club in January that he should leave in the summer.
And despite being a key part of the revival under Carrick, the United head coach has hinted that the decision will not be reversed.
Information from ESPN’s Bruno Andrade and Rob Dawson contributed to this story
