The latest potential midfield signing to be linked with a move to Old Trafford has arrived.
Lazio’s Sergej Milikovic-Savic, Brighton’s Moises Caicedo and of course, Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong are names that have been thrown around all summer alongside Manchester United.
However, the latest star that could be joining Erik ten Hag’s side is Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro.
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A number of outlets in Spain on Wednesday have reported that the Reds have offered the Brazilian a ‘dizzying’ contract, said to be on a five-year basis, where Casemiro would have his €180,000-a-week earnings doubled, should a move to United facilitate.
Real Madrid do not want to sell Casemiro, however the decision is up to the player, with Carlo Ancelotti’s squad currently well stacked in the midfield department.
On the flip side, United have been crying out for a midfielder in the mould of Casemiro, with departures of Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata earlier this summer leaving United light in the central areas.
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This has left Bruno Fernandes, Fred, new signing Christian Eriksen, Donny van de Beek, Scott McTominay and James Garner as midfielder options, with the latter reportedly for sale.
The majority of those names have come under fire after United’s successive defeats in their opening two Premier league games, with Garner reportedly being put up for sale by boss Ten Hag, and football director John Murtough.
On Casemiro, the Old Trafford club intend to wrap up a deal before Saturday, which would allow him to feature in the blockbuster Monday night fixture, where United host arch-rivals Liverpool.
United first contacted the 30-year-old’s agent after the loss to Brentford last Saturday, revealing their wish to bring the five-time Champions League winner to the club.
Should a move materialise for the former Porto man, Casemiro would join an elite category of players to have played for both United and Los Blancos.
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Last summer, Raphael Varane became an addition to the list of names including wantaway striker Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Owen, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Gabriel Heinze, Angel Di Maria and Chicharito.
During Brazil’s victorious Copa America run last summer, Casemiro was partnered by Fred, with the duo also working well to seal World Cup qualification ahead of the upcoming tournament in Qatar.
Fred excels with a pure defensive midfielder such as Casemiro beside him, and Manchester United fans will no doubt be dreaming of the Samba stars to link-up again throughout the 2022/23 season, and this time in red.
Casemiro hasn’t been the only Madrid-based star linked with a move to United this week, however.
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Atletico Madrid winger Joao Felix has also been tipped to sign for the 20-time English champions, though reports have not been as concrete as those including Casemiro.
Just like midfield, Ten Hag’s attacking options are also quite short, and any addition to the forward line would be welcomed with open arms, with PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo having been mentioned as a potential signing for United.
Gakpo was part of PSV’s squad that suffered defeat at the hands of Rangers in the second leg of their Champions League Play-off on Tuesday night.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Manchester United, Manchester United Transfer News & Rumours, Erik Ten Hag, Casemiro, Real Madrid
