Manchester United Superstar Poised for Blockbuster MLS Move as Transfer Rumors Heat Up
Casemiro's "most probable" next destination is being reported as Major League Soccer as he approaches the end of his tenure at Manchester United.
The five-time Champions League champion is nearing the last six months of his United deal. Acquired for the substantial fee of £70 million ($94 million) during the summer of 2022, Casemiro has experienced a rollercoaster Old Trafford journey filled with peaks and valleys.
Following an impressive introduction to Premier League football, Casemiro became engulfed in controversy, notoriously receiving two red cards within three league matches during his debut season. An injury sidelined the Brazilian midfielder for half of his second year, while United's chaotic midfield setup in Erik ten Hag's final months left Casemiro repeatedly vulnerable.
Ruben Amorim was cautious about the former Real Madrid legend initially. For the first time in ten years, Casemiro lost his guaranteed starting position. Nevertheless, the defensive midfielder impressed the new manager, playing a crucial role as United advanced to the Europa League final. Only disciplinary action has kept Casemiro from starting every Premier League match this term.
However, Casemiro's advancing years and soon-to-expire deal are both considerations for United. As his colleague Bruno Fernandes recently expressed: "In England, when a player begins to near 30, they start thinking about rebuilding. It's similar to replacing furniture."
The Daily Mail reports there has been "minimal enthusiasm" from United regarding activating the one-year extension included in Casemiro's expensive contract, reportedly worth a club-record £375,000 weekly. Discussions about a fresh agreement with reduced wages have surfaced, but the article suggests an MLS transfer as a realistic option.
Lionel Messi's triumph at Inter Miami has sparked a renewed exodus of European stars relocating to America in their twilight years. Thomas Müller is flourishing at Vancouver Whitecaps while Son Heung-min has rapidly built a devoted fanbase at LAFC. Even Mohamed Salah was connected with an MLS switch during his temporary Liverpool dispute.
Whether Casemiro is prepared to exit the European scene remains uncertain—he's delivering outstanding individual performances despite nearing his 34th birthday in February—but he wouldn't be the sole United midfielder departing Old Trafford in 2026.
Casemiro Part of Man Utd Midfield Exodus
Fernandes, Casemiro's midfield colleague, has thrown his Manchester United future into chaos with several controversial recent comments. The team captain's latest admission about being receptive to moves to La Liga or Serie A has been strengthened by reports suggesting his current deal includes a £56.6 million release clause, activatable by non-Premier League clubs.
Kobbie Mainoo's situation remains shrouded in doubt while teammate Manuel Ugarte has surfaced as another possible departure. The Daily Mail mentions "substantial interest" from Turkey for a player who has decisively struggled to rediscover the form he displayed under Amorim at Sporting CP.