Casemiro Set to Join Soccer Legends Beckham and Ibrahimovic in Star-Studded MLS Move
LA Galaxy are reportedly pursuing a potential transfer for Casemiro following the expiration of the Manchester United midfielder's contract this summer.
The Brazilian star made a surprising declaration in January that he wouldn't be extending his deal, confirming that his remaining months at Old Trafford will be his last. Speculation quickly surfaced suggesting the 33-year-old had attracted attention from Major League Soccer teams.
While no particular franchise had been mentioned previously, the Daily Mail reports that Galaxy are intensifying their pursuit. Casemiro is reportedly being viewed as a possible Designated Player—a designation originally established for former Manchester United legend David Beckham during his 2007 Galaxy move and subsequently utilized by Zlatan Ibrahimović in 2018—to accommodate his substantial salary beyond the league's standard wage restrictions.
MLS teams are permitted three DPs on their squad and Galaxy have currently maxed out their allocation. Nevertheless, key midfielder Riqui Puig is expected to miss the complete 2026 season due to a knee problem after sitting out the 2025 campaign with a comparable ailment. Without the ex-Barcelona playmaker, Galaxy managed only a franchise-record low seven victories. The requirement for a new influential central figure is clear.
Manchester United themselves aren't particularly well-stocked with midfield alternatives.
Man Utd's Casemiro Consideration
Man Utd's Casemiro Consideration
The same publication suggests that United "would certainly have given serious thought" to offering Casemiro a contract extension if he weren't at such an advanced age during this phase of his career.
Believed to be among the league's highest earners with a reported £375,000 ($515,000) weekly wage, Casemiro's compensation has faced public criticism from United's leadership. Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe specifically included the five-time Champions League champion among players described as "some are not good enough and some probably are overpaid" during a harsh interview in March 2025.
Several months prior, notable Sky Sports analyst Jamie Carragher famously stated: "The football has left him. At this top level, he needs to call it a day at this level and move."
Casemiro has completely transformed those critical assessments through a string of controlled and progressively outstanding displays. Following a brilliant performance against Fulham last weekend, where the defensive midfielder netted and provided an assist to put United ahead 2–0 before being substituted, Carragher admitted: "It is now fair to say the football has not left him."
"Credit to him, he looks a completely different player," the former Liverpool defender praised. "He looks like a different player physically as well. Even when I said that, you looked at him and he looked like an old man coming to the end of his time as a player."
How Man Utd Can Replace Casemiro?
How Man Utd Can Replace Casemiro?
United's pursuit of the expensive trio consisting of Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton is widely known. Following their decision to avoid any January spending, one of these long-term transfer targets will likely demand a substantial fee from the Premier League club.
Considering the shortage of midfield personnel currently—United collapsed dramatically after Casemiro's substitution in the final moments against Fulham, helplessly watching as their squad conceded twice before Benjamin Šeško secured a late victory—the Red Devils might be motivated to acquire multiple midfielders.
Upcoming free agent Leon Goretzka has been suggested as a potentially affordable option once his Bayern Munich deal concludes this summer. The dynamic German would definitely provide the character that Casemiro possesses, diving into challenges as eagerly as he surges into the attacking third.
Goretzka's fellow countryman Angelo Stiller at Stuttgart will require a transfer fee but it shouldn't be prohibitive. The deep-positioned playmaker focuses more on creating opportunities than Casemiro, allowing his midfield colleague Atakan Karazor to handle the physical battles while he collects second balls.
Should Casemiro maintain his current exceptional standard, whoever arrives to fill his position will face a challenging assignment.