Manchester United have agreed personal terms in principle with Casemiro and is moving closer to signing the Brazilian midfielder from Real Madrid, 45min understands.
United have moved for the 30-year-old multiple-time Champions League winner this week, and are set to pay €60m plus €10m in add-ons to complete the deal. The transfer is expected to finalize in the coming days and a medical is expected to take place over the next 24 hours.
90min reported on Thursday afternoon that the player was to be offered a five-year deal – the make-up of the contract now being four years with an option of a 12-month extension. He is set to earn as much as £400,000 a week, inclusive of bonuses.
Sources have confirmed to 90min that Casemiro was not feeling marginalized in Madrid following the signings of Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga over the last year, but is keen for a new adventure after winning everything there is to win at the club level with Los Blancos.
Real had planned with the player for the new season, but Casemiro has held a desire to play in England for some time and has jumped at the opportunity – even with United currently bottom of the Premier League table after two matches. Real’s respect for Casemiro and his wishes has made the deal relatively simple to progress on, and they have not wanted to stand in his way.
Casemiro would need to be registered by 12pm on Friday to play in United’s next Premier League fixture against Liverpool, which is extremely unlikely, though he may make his debut in next weekend’s trip to Southampton.
As reported on Thursday night, United have made a new bid for long-term attacking target Antony this week, though have seen their offer rejected as Ajax hold out for a club record sale of £78m. It remains to be seen whether United follow up their interest in one of Erik ten Hag’s preferred signings, though do have an alternative option in PSV’s Cody Gakpo.
Gakpo is understood to be an option that United feel they can sign quickly once an approach is made. No deal for the Dutchman, if United do choose to pursue him, would be completed before PSV’s Champions League fate is decided for the season ahead. PSV play Rangers on Wednesday night with a place in this season’s group stages on the line.
