Inter Miami don announce say dem sign Brazil star Casemiro, but Major League Soccer immediately say dem dey investigate allegations of tampering by the club over the deal.
Casemiro, wey get 91 caps for Brazil and win five Champions League titles with Real Madrid, bin be free agent after Manchester United choose not to renew im contract following mixed four-year stint at the Premier League giants.
The veteran 34-year-old midfielder choose to join Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul at Inter Miami, wey David Beckham co-own.
“Casemiro’s arrival reflect the vision and ambition wey define Inter Miami. We never settle. We dey always look to grow, improve, and raise our standards every season,” Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas tok.
“We don build global club with the vision of becoming not only the best club for United States, but also benchmark globally.”
But just moments after the announcement, MLS tok for im own statement say the North American soccer league dey “reviewing a tampering allegation against Inter Miami CF.”
The probe concern the MLS system of “discovery rights,” wey club must acquire before dem fit start to negotiate to sign specific high-profile players.
Los Angeles Galaxy hold the discovery rights to negotiate with Casemiro, and dem understand say dem dey receive compensation from Inter Miami.
“The league dey gather all relevant information and go refrain from further comment until the review complete,” MLS tok.
“While Inter Miami CF and the LA Galaxy don reach settlement for the Discovery Priority to sign Casemiro, the terms go release upon conclusion of the tampering investigation.”
While other clubs get international marquee talent, like Los Angeles FC Son Heung-min, signing Casemiro consolidate Inter Miami as the most star-packed club for MLS.
Inter Miami win im first ever MLS Cup title for December, and move into brand-new stadium for April.
But the club don run into trouble over transfer dealings before. For 2020, French World Cup winner Blaise Matuidi move to Inter Miami from Juventus trigger MLS investigation wey result for the club dey hit with $2 million fine for breaching salary cap regulations.
The MLS last week return from World Cup mid-season break, and dey hope to tap into enthusiasm for soccer wey the giant tournament spark.
“Thanks, world, we go take it from here,” one recent MLS campaign slogan read.
For statement wey the club release, Casemiro tok say im dey motivated to sign for Inter Miami by “winning and continuing to grow.”
“The project the Club present to me, along with the effort everyone make to bring me here, mean plenty to me,” im tok.
Co-owner Beckham add: “He be winner wey don achieve so much for the game and after such incredible career with Real Madrid and Manchester United I dey delighted say im don decide to make Miami im next home.”
