Al Nassr, a team in the Saudi Pro League, have reportedly intensified their interest in Manchester United’s midfielder Casemiro in anticipation of a potential transfer during the upcoming summer window.The 32-year-old player is anticipated to depart Old Trafford after a disappointing second season, and Al Nassr seems prepared to provide Sir Jim Ratcliffe with a significant financial boost.
Manchester United, facing the possibility of their poorest Premier League season ever, will need to rely on player sales this summer to facilitate a necessary overhaul. Reports suggest that Financial Fair Play (FFP) and the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) will restrict the club’s net spending to approximately £100 million. MEN Sport has learned that INEOS has made nearly all players available for transfer, with the exception of Rasmus Hojlund, Kobbie Mainoo, Alejandro Garnacho, and Andre Onana.
Raphael Varane, Anthony Martial, Tom Heaton, and Jonny Evans are expected to contribute to the clearout as their contracts near expiration. However, Casemiro is among the high-profile players being made available for transfer, alongside Christian Eriksen, Jadon Sancho, and Mason Greenwood.
The Brazil captain is reportedly being targeted for a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia, where a potential reunion with Cristiano Ronaldo awaits. According to CaughtOffside, Al Nassr has already held discussions with Casemiro’s representatives about a summer transfer.
The Reds’ No. 18 is said to be open to pursuing a new challenge if the price is right, just two years after joining from Real Madrid in a £70 million deal. The report further states that Al Nassr is prepared to offer a three-year contract and is getting ready to send United an initial offer worth approximately £34 million.
If Casemiro completes a £34 million move to Al Nassr, it would surpass the current record fee Manchester United has received for a midfielder. The previous record was set by Morgan Schneiderlin’s £24 million transfer to Everton in 2016. Casemiro’s potential sale would also become the fourth-largest in the club’s history.The record for United’s biggest sale remains Cristiano Ronaldo’s £80 million transfer to Real Madrid in 2009, which has yet to be surpassed.
However, there have been 18 more expensive deals in world football since then, including Antony and Paul Pogba’s arrivals at United. Romelu Lukaku’s £74 million move to Inter Milan in 2019 is the second-highest sale, followed by Angel di Maria’s £44 million transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in 2015. Casemiro’s departure would boost United’s transfer budget and create space for at least one midfield addition to bring more energy and physicality to the team’s engine room.
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