Manchester United are reportedly preparing a stunning move for Real Madrid star Casemiro, as Erik ten Hag looks to bolster his squad after a disastrous start to the new season.
Back-to-back defeats against Brighton and Brentford have further exposed the teething problems Erik ten Hag has in his squad. The additions of Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez are good but clearly not enough for the Red Devils to even compete for a top-four finish.
According to Spanish newspaper Marca, Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro has emerged as a target for Manchester United. The Red Devils are in search of midfield reinforcements following the departures of Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba, and while they still remain in the hunt for Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, Casemiro is the latest player to be linked with the 20-time English champions.
Casemiro, 30, joined Real Madrid from Sao Paulo in 2013 and has won five Champions League titles and three La Liga titles, racking up more than 330 appearances for Los Blancos. The Brazil international remains a crucial cog in Carlo Ancelotti’s side, although Real splashed £80 million to sign his successor Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco earlier this summer.
While there are no concrete offers made for the defensive midfielder by Man United yet, a sale cannot be entirely ruled out from Real’s perspective, the report adds.
Casemiro to Man United—A massive coup for the Red Devils?
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is desperate for midfield and attacking reinforcements following their chastening defeats to Brighton and Brentford. Cristiano Ronaldo wants to leave the club, Anthony Martial is out injured and the likes of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bruno Fernandes are out of form.
As far as midfield is concerned, their move for Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot has all but collapsed. Frenkie de Jong remains the club’s No.1 target, and while they have not abandoned their pursuit of the Barcelona midfielder, chances of signing him before the end of the month are slim.
Ten Hag wants to solidify the midfield unit and has now set his sights on Real Madrid’s Casemiro. One of the best defensive midfielders of this generation, Casemiro would instantly improve the Man United midfield, which has been a weak link in the squad for the last three to four years. He plays in a midfield role Ten Hag desperately needs to fill.
The Brazil international could slot in seamlessly as a No.6 in Ten Hag’s system and allow the likes of Eriksen, Fernandes and Fred to get forward and influence the play in the final third. At 30, he still has a lot to offer and would be a monumental signing for the Red Devils.
However, Man United will need to pay top dollar if they are genuinely interested in Casemiro, who after spending the best years of his career at Real Madrid could be open to a new challenge.
