Man Utd target ‘upset’ star in ominous deal for Casemiro

Robin Bairner

18 Sept 2024 06:39 BST
4 min read

Manchester United may have signed Manuel Ugarte in the summer, but they are still looking for additional midfield options.

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Casemiro was strongly linked with a move away from the club in the summer, and it still appears that Erik ten Hag is planning for the imminent departure of the Brazil international star.

According to a report, Man Utd are eager to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka, who is known to be “upset” at the Allianz Arena.

Current ETV

Leon Goretzka

DM (C)

Bayern

Leon Goretzka

DM (C)

Bayern

ETV Range

€15.6M - €25.9M

The Sun says that the Red Devils are “on alert” after learning that the 29-year-old Germany international midfielder is on the transfer market.

Goretzka, who has a contract that runs until 2026, has featured just once in the Bundesliga for Bayern Munich and was only given a nine-minute cameo against Dinamo Zagreb in in Tuesday’s astonishing 9-2 victory. He still managed to score against the Croat club, however.

Vincent Kompany’s side have already warned the player, who was linked with the Red Devils in the summer, he will have no more than a bit-part role at FCB this season.

"We communicated very clearly from the start. Leon knew that we were relying on Aleksandar Pavlovic, and that we would bring in Joao Palhinha and that Joshua Kimmich would play more in the centre again," Max Eberl told Sky Germany.

"It's just that the competition is fierce. We've also said that when Leon is there and ready to face the situation, he'll be treated completely normally.

"Leon's a great guy. I like him a lot, even though he's obviously upset at the moment. I understand that too. But that's part of life in football."

© IMAGO - Casemiro: Still on his way out of Man Utd?

United to make profit in Goretzka deal?

Goretzka has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €20.7 million, and given United have already managed to sign both Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt from Bayern for fees less than the ETVs of both players, the Red Devils should be optimistic of paying less than this figure should they make a move.

Casemiro, who has been linked with the Saudi Pro League, has an ETV of €16.5m, but with clubs from the big-spending league typically paying above value for such players, United could break even or perhaps make profit from this exchange.

No deal for Goretzka is possible until January at the earliest.