Casemiro’s anticipated free transfer from Manchester United to Inter Miami remains held up by a dispute over Major League Soccer’s “discovery rights” system, with LA Galaxy demanding compensation for their registration of the Brazilian midfielder before a deal can be completed.
The 34-year-old has agreed a two-year contract with David Beckham’s franchise, with an option for a third year, but Miami must first resolve the stand-off. LA Galaxy, as the club that originally registered their interest in Casemiro, hold his discovery rights. They previously made several contract offers to the player, whose head was turned by the prospect of living in Miami and playing alongside Argentina captain Lionel Messi.
Discovery rights: the mechanism stalling Casemiro’s move
The MLS discovery rights system allows clubs to register priority interest in players not already under contract within the league. It is designed to prevent multiple teams competing for the same player and driving up wages. If a club holds a player’s discovery rights but cannot reach a deal, it can trade or sell those rights to another franchise. In Casemiro’s case, LA Galaxy demanded £750,000 ($1 million) in compensation from Inter Miami. Negotiations are currently around the £450,000 mark as Miami seeks a compromise. Galaxy have additionally asked for Miami to be fined £750,000 for allegedly breaching discovery rights regulations. A precedent exists: when Marco Reus joined LA Galaxy, Charlotte FC held his rights and received $400,000 in General Allocation Money after initially demanding $800,000.
Complicating matters further, Inter Miami has already filled its three Designated Player slots — with Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and Germán Berterame — meaning Casemiro would be restricted to a contract worth less than $2 million annually until the end of 2026. The former Manchester United midfielder is reportedly willing to lower his salary expectations to facilitate the move.
Bergvall seeks exit as Spurs rebuild midfield
Nottingham Forest are among the clubs showing interest in Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Lucas Bergvall after the 20-year-old Swedish international indicated he wishes to leave the club this summer. Bergvall believes he will receive fewer first-team opportunities under manager Roberto De Zerbi, who is pushing to sign two new midfielders. Bergvall has accumulated only 112 minutes of playing time under De Zerbi, starting just one of six games and featuring mainly as a substitute.
Tottenham signed Bergvall ahead of Barcelona — he held talks with the Catalan club’s sporting director Deco before choosing Spurs — but De Zerbi wants experience to guide the team more quickly after two seasons of relegation form. Aston Villa and Chelsea made enquiries for Bergvall in January, but Chelsea are now looking at other options. Bayern Munich have also been monitoring developments. Bergvall signed a contract extension in January 2025, committing him to Tottenham until June 2031 on wages estimated at £65,000 per week (£3.3 million annually). His market value has reportedly more than doubled from €12 million to €25 million, making him the third most valuable midfielder aged 19 or younger globally. A player-plus-cash swap involving Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs‑White has been mooted as a possibility, given Tottenham’s previous interest in the forward.
Tottenham have already had an £80 million bid for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali rejected; Newcastle are understood to want at least £100 million. The north London club have also opened talks for West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, a target for Manchester United. Fernandes has agreed personal terms with United, but West Ham are holding out for over £80 million — with Fabrizio Romano indicating a starting point of £85 million — while United hope to conclude a deal closer to £65 million plus add-ons. Tottenham are reportedly ready to offer £70 million. West Ham may need to sell to comply with Financial Fair Play rules. Fernandes is described as a solid ball‑winner who progresses play through powerful ball‑carrying and incisive passing, and he scored five goals and assisted five last season. There remains the possibility that Tottenham could bring in João Palhinha; the Portuguese defensive midfielder has since completed a move from Fulham to Bayern Munich for up to €56 million (£47.4 million), a club-record sale for Fulham.
Vuskovic: Brighton’s third bid worth £45m
Tottenham’s young Croatian centre‑back Luka Vušković, 19, also believes he can play more regularly elsewhere and has been the subject of three bids from Brighton & Hove Albion. The latest offer is £42 million plus £3 million in add-ons, totalling £45 million. Tottenham value the defender significantly higher, insisting on a final package exceeding £50 million; they are willing to lower their initial valuation of £70 million (€81 million) but expect the total, including bonuses, to approach that figure. Vušković, who joined Spurs in 2023 for approximately £12 million — the official move taking effect in 2025 due to FIFA regulations — has a contract until 2030. He has had loan spells at Hamburger SV, Radomiak Radom and Westerlo, where he scored seven league goals and won the Belgian Pro League Goal of the Season award. Brighton remain confident of securing the transfer, having agreed to sell Jan Paul van Hecke to Tottenham for £52 million, hoping to replace him with Vušković. Brighton are also closing on Austria defender Michael Svoboda from Venezia in a £4.8 million deal.
Anderson: record British fee looms as Forest seek replacements
Nottingham Forest are exploring the market for midfielders as they are in the process of selling Elliot Anderson to Manchester City for a British record fee. The Midlands club is demanding a fee exceeding £120 million, potentially reaching £130 million. City have already seen two bids rejected, the latest being a £120 million offer. The Premier League champions view Anderson as a long-term midfield addition to refresh their squad after Bernardo Silva’s departure, valuing his ball‑carrying, aggression and versatility. Anderson is keen on the move, and completing the deal while he is in the United States for the World Cup would allow City to finalise a key acquisition before pre‑season planning. Manchester United had expressed interest but have cooled their pursuit due to the high figures. Premier League rivals are concerned the potential £130 million transfer — significantly higher than Forest’s original £15 million purchase from Newcastle in 2024 — could further inflate the market.
Forest have already identified Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall as a potential replacement. They have also discussed Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi and are preparing a €25 million bid (approximately £21 million) plus add-ons; Inter value the Italy international at €30 million (£25.5 million). Frattesi has reportedly grown frustrated with limited playing time at Inter and has approved a move to Nottingham, but also has interest from Roma, Napoli and Juventus. Forest also held talks for Celtic’s Arne Engels after making bids in January.
Clark closes on Derby permanent move
RB Salzburg midfielder Bobby Clark is expected to undergo a medical ahead of his £6 million transfer to Derby County. The deal will add just over £1 million to Liverpool’s coffers, as the Merseyside club holds a 17.5 per cent sell‑on clause. Clark made an impact on loan at Derby last season, scoring three goals and earning a nomination for the EFL Young Player of the Season award. Celtic had also shown interest in the 21-year-old.
Mulligan attracts Championship interest
Hibernian midfielder Josh Mulligan is attracting interest from Middlesbrough and Southampton. Boro are exploring options as they continue discussions with Everton over Hayden Hackney. Southampton are similarly seeking a midfielder as Leeds United pursue their Northern Ireland international Shea Charles. Leeds have submitted an opening offer of over £20 million for Charles, who has one year remaining on his Southampton contract with an option for an additional year. Manchester United are also interested, but Leeds have made a decisive move and Charles is reportedly open to joining, viewing it as an attractive next step. Mulligan, 23, had a stand‑out season at Hibs prior to an ankle injury but is now fit again. He is also on West Ham’s radar as the London club anticipates a number of midfield exits.
