Man Utd ready to cut losses on Casemiro – and pay-off could cost a whopping £20m
Casemiro’s Manchester United future beyond this season is in serious doubt.
Despite boss Erik ten Hag claiming last weekend the Brazilian midfielder was ‘fantastic’ in his first season at the club, it appears his time at Old Trafford is coming to an end. Casemiro, 31, cost £60million from Real Madrid 18 months ago and still has more than two years to run on his £350,000-a-week contract. The Reds also have the option to extend that by a season.
But that is not going to happen. With Casemiro having missed most of this campaign through injury, United’s new football hierarchy now think it is better to move him on.
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Rather then try to sell him at a cut price fee in the summer – and risk being stuck with him and paying huge wages to a squad player – they are prepared to cut their losses. To do that, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group, whose 25% part-takeover of the club is set to be ratified next month, will have to strike a pay-off agreement with Casemiro.
That could amount to £20m or even higher – in lost earnings – but the British billionaire and his advisors still reckon getting Casemiro off the books makes more sense. He is the club’s joint-highest earner and, as long as he remains there, future top transfer targets will be demanding financial parity. Hence, the idea to buy him out by the summer, at the latest.
What do you make of Casemiro’s time at Old Trafford? Let us know in the comments section.
Although if the two parties reach a settlement before then, Casemiro could exit sooner. In that situation he would be a free agent, leaving the five-time Champions League winner available to join another club outside the usual transfer windows.
Italian giants Juventus and AC Milan have been monitoring developments but, even without a fee to pay, would struggle to afford Casemiro. A return to La Liga might appeal, while there is certain to be big-money interest for someone of his stature from the Saudi Pro League.
The one-time Sao Paulo star, with 75 caps, has also spoken of a desire to finish his glittering career back in Brazil. However it pans out, Casemiro is not deemed part of the bigger, longer-term picture at United amid the Ratcliffe revolution.
Even after praising the impact of his debut year in England, Ten Hag did not use fit-again Casemiro last Sunday in the 2-2 home draw against Tottenham. Instead, the Dutchman started with Christian Eriksen in central midfield and later replaced him with Scott McTominay, as Casemiro stayed on the bench.
