Why Casemiro is considering Man Utd move
FT Desk
- 17 Aug 2022 05:18 CDT
- 3 min read
Manchester United have been linked with an ambitious move for Real Madrid defensive midfielder Casemiro, and he might be tempted to go.
Man Utd have had a torrid time of trying to recruit central midfielders this summer. With Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic leaving on frees to Juventus and Roma respectively, the need to recruit in the position has been acute.
But the Red Devils have given up on their pursuit for Erik ten Hag's top target Frenkie de Jong, with the Dutchman having no intention of leaving Barcelona, especially when he is still owed €20 million in deferred wages by the Catalan giants.
Casemiro when he hears he's being linked with Man Utd:pic.twitter.com/QwhhMGJoqd
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) August 16, 2022
Adrien Rabiot was seen as an alternative, but United have baulked at the salary demands made by the Juventus player and his mother and agent, Veronique.
Casemiro has emerged as a surprise alternative. A regular for Real Madrid, the Brazil international played 48 games in all competitions last season as Carlo Ancelotti's side won La Liga and the Champions League.
Competition for places
But things are getting increasingly cluttered in the centre of the park at the Bernabeu after Aurelien Tchouameni's €100m acquisition from Monaco, which added to a stable of midfielders which also includes Luka Modric, Toni Kross and Eduardo Camavinga.
And Casemiro could be tempted into a new challenge after winning all there is to win since joining Real from Sao Paulo in 2013.
Casemiro is also considering the move because he would be given a significant salary increase, according to Real Madrid journalist Ramón Alvarez de Mon.
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Casemiro earns €215,000 a week at the Bernabeu, putting eight players above him on their wage scale.
United's contract offer has not yet been confirmed, but his former Real Madrid teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane earn €613,000 and €404,000 before bonuses respectively.
Marco Asensio has also been linked with a move to United, offering further familiarity for Casemiro should he decide to make the move.
