Inter Miami CF is reportedly nearing a significant deal to sign Casemiro, the Brazilian midfielder recently departed from Manchester United. The 34-year-old has expressed a strong preference for South Florida, setting the stage for a potential reunion with former rivals and friends, including Lionel Messi.

Casemiro's Decision to Join Inter Miami

After leaving Old Trafford this summer, Casemiro has made it clear that he wants to join Inter Miami. According to The Athletic, despite having various options available, the veteran midfielder is set on moving to Vice City. This transfer would see him join an impressive roster that already features stars like Messi, Rodrigo De Paul, and German Berterame. The allure of Miami's ambitious MLS project has proven irresistible for the five-time Champions League winner, who enjoyed a strong final season in the Premier League.

Challenges with LA Galaxy

However, the transfer is complicated by the LA Galaxy holding the "discovery rights" to Casemiro. Under MLS rules, the Galaxy have priority in negotiations and were hopeful of persuading him to relocate to California. Reports indicate that the Galaxy have engaged in multiple discussions with the midfielder’s representatives and have made several contract offers. This system aims to prevent teams from inflating prices through competitive bidding for the same international players. Despite the Galaxy's efforts, Casemiro's desire to join Miami has created a standoff, and if a deal is to be reached, Miami may need to compensate the Galaxy, similar to how Los Angeles previously paid Charlotte FC $400,000 for Marco Reus's rights.

Financial Considerations for Miami

Another significant hurdle for Inter Miami is the absence of an open Designated Player (DP) slot. With Messi and other players occupying those positions, Casemiro's initial salary would need to remain under the $2 million limit for the current season. To navigate this issue, Miami is expected to adopt a strategy similar to the one used to sign Jordi Alba in 2023, utilizing Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) before eventually promoting him to DP status. The club is likely to structure the deal with a non-guaranteed option that would trigger a salary increase once roster space becomes available. This financial ingenuity is characteristic of the Miami front office, which is eager to strengthen the squad following a challenging season that included the departure of head coach Javier Mascherano.