SPORTS: Manchester United have announced that they have been able to reach an agreement with Real Madrid for the transfer of the Brazilian midfielder Casemiro.
What We Know
Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti on Friday admitted that Casemiro was going to join Manchester United. The EPL club have now confirmed that “an agreement in principle” is in place, in what will be a significant lift for the side that has been struggling with poor performance since beginning of the new season.
According to Ancelotti:
“Manchester United is delighted to announce that the club has reached agreement with Real Madrid for the transfer of Casemiro,” the statement said. “The transfer is subject to the agreement of personal terms, UK visa requirements and a medical.”
Casemiro will be United’s fourth sign off, since the opening of the 2022/2023 transfer window after an initial €60m fee was agreed with Real Madrid, with the 30-year-old midfielder also accepting personal terms of a four-year contract of £350,000 a week, with the option of another 12 months.
The Brazil international’s imminent arrival at Man Utd signals a ray of hope for the struggling EPL giants.
Clariform recalls that Man Utd had suffered difficulty in the transfer market with unsuccessful moves for Jurrien Timber, Marko Arnautovic and Adrien Rabiot, plus a long-term pursuit of Frenkie de Jong which has stalled with fewer than two weeks left before the 1 September deadline.
Notable Quote
According to Real Madrid coach, Ancelotti:
“I have spoken with Casemiro. He wants to try a new challenge. We understand his decision. Yesterday [Thursday] I realised it was a real thing. My plans won’t change. As far as a replacement is concerned we have signed [Aurélien] Tchouaméni and he’s one of the best on the market. Then we have [Toni] Kroos and [Eduardo] Camavinga.”
In an official statement, Real Madrid confirmed that the two clubs “have agreed terms for the transfer of Casemiro.
The statement partly read, “Real Madrid would like to express its gratitude and appreciation to Casemiro, who is part of the club’s history.”
While the fee also includes a further €10m in add-ons, Casemiro’s medical and visa should be addressed this weekend though the latter may take a few days as was the case for Lisandro Martínez and Christian Eriksen, two of Ten Hag’s other additions.
Casemiro is expected to immediately improve United’s midfield. Ten Hag has only Fred and Scott McTominay as regular, frontline players in the department.
Casemiro will bring on board a proven winning mentality, having won five Champions Leagues and three La Liga titles with Madrid since joining the Spanish club from São Paulo in 2013.
Ten Hag also wants to sign Antony, the Ajax forward. While the Dutch club are reluctant to sell, Clariform understands the 22-year-old is disappointed with Ajax’s stance and is hopeful a transfer to United can still happen before closure of the transfer window.
Another Netherlands-based player, the PSV winger Cody Gakpo, is an alternative that has been identified by Ten Hag to Antony and would cost considerably less.
