Journalist Ben Jacobs has been speaking on The Done Deal Show about Manchester United target Casemiro and the hefty price tag on his head.
The Red Devils have spent pretty much all summer chasing Frenkie de Jong, despite there being indications very early on from his camp that the player wasn’t interested in a move, despite his former manager Erik ten Hag now at the helm.
This then saw them change their approach by going for Adrien Rabiot of Juventus. A fee was swiftly agreed only for negotiations to stall over personal terms and that deal is now off, while reports have now claimed that a move for 30-year-old Casemiro could now be on the cards.
Speaking on Wednesday, Jacobs offered his insight into how likely a deal for the Brazilian would be, saying: “With Casemiro, I think he’s a decent fit, to be perfectly honest with you, but the challenge is that there is no intimation yet that the player wants the move.
Do you want Man United to sign Casemiro?
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“So Manchester United are exploring the possibility, as I understand it, of a £50m transfer. Real Madrid are not especially keen to sell in the next two weeks or so and it remains to be seen whether the player is interested.”
TIF Thoughts on interest in Casemiro…
Not many Man United fans would likely turn their noses up at the idea of a five-time Champions League winner arriving at Old Trafford, but again, as with players such as Jamie Vardy and Marko Arnautovic, Casemiro is just about the wrong side of 30, so wouldn’t be someone for the long-term future.
It’s obvious why Man United want Casemiro as he would fill the clear void in their side of a solid defensive midfielder that can protect what looks like a very leaky back four at present, as he ranks inside the top four percentiles when it comes to clearances and aerial battles won, as well as in the top 10% for tackles, compared to players in his position in Europe’s top five leagues over the past year (as per FBref).
So he would bring a great deal of steel and fight to a United midfield that has been rather non-existent so far this season in failing to put up much of a battle against either Brighton & Hove Albion or Brentford.