Manchester United are optimistic of a £60m deal to sign Casemiro from Real Madrid after a breakthrough in talks as the Brazilian tells Carlo Ancelotti he wants to leave… with Erik ten Hag in the hunt d ‘a defensive midfielder on the verge of completion.
- Casemiro has won five Champions Leagues in nine years at Real Madrid
- Leaving for Manchester United would mean missing the tournament
- However, the 30-year-old has been tempted by the offer of a five-year deal
- Real would look to replace the Brazilian with Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes
By Pete Jenson and Simon Jones for MailOnline
Published: 16:47, August 18, 2022 | Updated: 21:29, 18 August 2022
Manchester United are optimistic of agreeing a £60million-plus deal for Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro following a breakthrough in talks.
The clubs are finalizing a fee plus bonus payment for the 30-year-old Brazil international after Madrid president Florentino Perez informed him he could choose whether to stay or leave.
Casemiro told manager Carlo Ancelotti of his decision to join United as the two met for talks on Wednesday evening. Ancelotti rates Casemiro highly and does not want to see him leave as he has been central to Madrid’s tactical set-up, winning 18 titles during his nine seasons there.
Midfielder Casemiro, 30, is considering a move to Manchester United
He has spent his entire European career with Real Madrid, apart from a brief loan spell with Porto
However, the midfielder is excited at the prospect of a new challenge in the Premier League to help revive United’s strong fortunes while the lucrative figures on offer make financial sense for the club and the player.
Casemiro has three years left on his contract with Real, but following the signing of Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco, his place is under threat. Casemiro was on the bench last week with Tchouameni starting.
A United delegation traveled to the Spanish capital earlier this week to sound out the hierarchy in Madrid about the prospective move and hope it will be completed on Monday.
Although Casemiro is not the profile of the player United had first sought, Erik Ten Hag believes his experience and knowledge could prove invaluable to his new team and a potential deal is understood to be for five years.
Erik ten Hag has moved for Casemiro after failing in his pursuit of Frenkie de Jong
United wanted a six-ball player, but Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong is more inclined to join Chelsea if he leaves, while Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot’s demands were deemed too high.
Once Casemiro is agreed, United will focus on adding a striker, right-back and back-up goalkeeper.
They remain interested in signing Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic, but have held no further talks at this time. Atletico Madrid’s Yannick Carrasco has also been mooted this week, while Ajax striker Antony and PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo remain targets.
Everton goalkeeper Asmir Begovic is the latest option to be discussed as cover for David de Gea.
Southampton are pushing to sign midfielder James Garner, while defender Eric Bailly looks increasingly likely to join Marseille as they discuss a loan with option to buy for the centre-back.
If Casemiro leaves, Real will look to Bruno Guimaraes as a replacement
Madrid are considering replacing Casemiro should he agree to sign for United.
Despite signing 22-year-old Aurelien Tchouameni in the summer, the club, according to Diario AS, have made Bruno Guimaraes their No.1 choice.
Newcastle’s Brazil international is on a short list of names that also includes Betis midfielder Guido Rodríguez.
Betis must sell because they are currently over their allowed squad spending and cannot register new signings Willian Jose, Luiz Henrique and Luiz Felipe.
If Casemiro tells Madrid that he wants to leave United, he will have to meet Madrid’s demands.
Erik ten Hag’s Man United lost 4-0 to Brentford on Saturday night
The Spanish champions have a record of selling, or not renewing, club legends before they become impossible to move on or leave for free.
Adding physicality will be an advantage for United after being harassed in their 4-0 defeat by Brentford on Saturday night.
Ten Hag faced criticism after the game for starting such a small team in west London, with the selection of 5ft 9in center Lisandro Martinez proving particularly unpopular.
Red Devils fans will be hoping for a much better performance when they face Liverpool at Old Trafford on Monday.