MLS clubs Inter Miami and LA Galaxy, along with Saudi Pro League team Al Ittihad, are interested in signing Manchester United midfielder Casemiro on a free transfer for next season, sources 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 biggest leagues.
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However, Miami and the Galaxy are among the clubs that have contacted Casemiro in recent days, although no formal offers have yet been made, sources confirmed to Felipe Silva and Pedro Ivo Almeida of ESPN Brazil.
There would be challenges to reaching a deal for both teams, as the Galaxy and Miami already have their full quota of designated player spots on their roster.
The news of interest from Inter Miami and the LA Galaxy was first reported by The Athletic.
Sources also told ESPN’s Rodra and Moisés Llorens that Al Ittihad is closely monitoring the situation and is eager to tempt him to Saudi Arabia.
Al Ittihad already have high-profile players with European backgrounds in their squad, such as former Liverpool star Fabinho, but they are exploring the market for a big-name star after Karim Benzema left the team in February to join Al Hilal.
And sources said Casemiro’s potential signing is linked to Fabinho’s own future.
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 contract or leave on a free transfer.
Caesmiro’s subsequent return to form under Michael Carrick has led to United retaining the Brazilian midfielder beyond the end of the season.
United fans chanted “one more year” for the Brazilian after he scored in a 3-1 win over Aston Villa on March 15.
Sources told ESPN that there is unlikely to be a U-turn, but teammate Leny Yoro revealed that the players wanted the club to keep the 34-year-old.
“Everyone wanted him to stay, he is a player [who is] really important to us,” Yoro said.
“Even in the locker room, every day, he has experience that no one else on the team has.
“He won everything, so this helped us a lot in games and even off the field.”
United still have the option of activating a one-year extension on Casemiro’s contract, although it was mutually agreed with the club in January that he should leave in the summer.
And despite being a key part of Carrick’s resurgence, the United manager has hinted the decision will not be overturned.
ESPN information Bruno Andrade and Rob Dawson contributed to this story.