Manchester United are willing to listen to offers for Casemiro amid interest from clubs in Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
The Brazilian midfielder has been heavily criticised for his mistakes in the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday and United are keen to get his £300,000-a-week wages off the books.
The 32-year-old was subject to interest from three Saudi Pro League this summer but sources in the kingdom say they were put off by United’s asking price and his high pay salary.
However, i understands that those same teams will return in January buoyed by the possibility of being able to bring the midfielder to the Middle East for a much lower fee than he could have commanded during the summer window.
There is also interest from Galatasaray over a loan move – Turkish clubs can still sign players until 13 September – but Casemiro’s salary on could prove a stumbling block, as United would need a significant portion of his wage covered to agree to any exit.
United are in no desperate need to sell or move Casemiro on, especially when they cannot sign a replacement. Several sources within the club insist the attitude towards him and his talents has not changed following Sunday’s disastrous outing that saw the Brazilian substituted at half time. The feeling in the dressing room is that Casemiro was unnecessarily singled out in a poor team display.
Galatasaray, however, already pulled off one major transfer coup last week – bringing in striker Victor Osimhen from Napoli on loan until the end of the season – and they are keen to bolster their midfield options before their deadline passes.
The arrival of Uruguayan midfielder Manuel Ugarte puts Casemiro’s place in the United team under serious threat and should the new signing cement his spot alongside Kobbie Mainoo in the heart of United’s midfield, sources in the Middle East believe they can persuade the five-time Champions League winner to join the Pro League in the winter window, for a more palatable fee.
New United co-owners Ineos have been ruthless with their cost-cutting so far and the belief is they are unlikely to sanction paying someone £300,000-a-week to sit on the bench.
When Ineos were conducting their initial meetings with senior United executives, outlining their plans for the club, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his head of sport, Sir Dave Brailsford, explained that Casemiro and his type of signing – stars past their best, for inflated fees and on astronomical wages – is why United’s transfer policy in the post Sir Alex Ferguson era has been so unsuccessful.
As a result, senior figures within Ineos have been eyeing exit routes for Casemiro, whose form fell off a cliff last season after he had enjoyed an impressive first campaign in the Premier League.
That exit appeared likely in the summer as Ineos cleared the decks, selling a raft of unwanted talent. Several Saudi Arabian clubs made enquiries throughout the window, but the fee required to sign him proved off-putting, sources said.
Casemiro himself has expressed no desire to leave, but a sustained spell on the sidelines, or even continued criticism following further poor performances, may change his mind, should the right offer present itself in a few months’ time.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/MxZuLsJ
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