LA Galaxy claim Casemiro promised to join before Inter Miami move
Major League Soccer is investigating Inter Miami’s signing of Casemiro after Los Angeles Galaxy claimed the Brazilian midfielder previously promised to join the Californian club.
The 34-year-old left Manchester United on a free transfer in July to sign a contract with the Florida-based franchise running until 2027.
However, the move immediately sparked a tampering probe regarding the league’s complex discovery rights regulations.
Discovery rights dispute explained
Under rules established in 1996, MLS teams can hold priority signing rights for up to five players at any given time.
LA Galaxy held these exclusive rights for the five-time Champions League winner before his eventual move to the East Coast.
Inter Miami announced they had acquired those rights from the Galaxy, but the league launched an immediate investigation into how the deal was conducted.
Conflicting claims emerge
LA Galaxy general manager Will Kuntz stated that the player had initially committed his future to the Western Conference side.
“It is true that Casemiro called and said that he always wanted to play for Inter Miami,” Kuntz said.
“It’s also true that came two months after he told us that he only wanted to play for the Galaxy.”
The veteran enforcer has strongly defended his decision to link up with former rival Lionel Messi.
“When I spoke to them, I made it very clear which team I wanted to join in the MLS and that is Inter Miami because of the project, the hope and of course to play with the best player of all time,” Casemiro said.
Investigations and on-pitch struggles
A financial settlement regarding the discovery priority has been reached between the two American clubs.
The specific terms of that agreement will remain confidential until the league’s tampering investigation concludes.
On the pitch, the former Real Madrid star recently scored an own goal during a 2-2 draw against Columbus Crew.
BBC Sport has approached representatives for both the player and his current employers for further comment.