Addressing the gaping hole in Manchester United’s midfield has been the main objective for the club this summer but thus far, only Christian Eriksen has been added to that department.
Eriksen prefers to play in an attacking role and the departures of Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba have left United in need of a deep-lying player, with Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong earmarked as Erik ten Hag’s prime target this summer.
A move to sign the Dutchman has been protracted, however, and a deal is looking unlikely with two weeks remaining of the transfer window.
Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro has instead been identified as an alternative and earlier on Thursday, it was revealed that the Spanish giants were expecting developments ‘very soon’.
Now, there has been another positive update from a United perspective. According to Spanish outlet Relevo, Casemiro is inclined to accept the offer on the table by United.
As per the report, the 30-year-old met with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez on Wednesday and although the 14-time Champions League winners are unwilling to sell, Casemiro was told he has earned the right to decide himself.
Relevo continued to claim that there is a €20m gap in valuation between the two clubs but that a compromise at €70m would be reached.
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Suggestions that a deal to sign Casemiro was progressing well were then backed up by The Athletic, who say that United’s key focus is now on securing his arrival.
Casemiro is said to have given positive indications about his willingness to join United and the Old Trafford club are willing to make him one of their top earners.
United officials have already been in Madrid for negotiations and although an agreement has not been found with either party yet, talks are advancing.
SN’s verdict…
There are many aspects to United’s transfer window that will leave you scratching your head but the fact that a defensive midfielder still hasn’t been signed is completely unexplainable.
That position has been in urgent need of addressing for several years now but still, in 2022, United are scrambling for one in the final two weeks of the transfer market.
Casemiro would be a huge upgrade on the current options at United and on top of his qualities as a footballer, he would bring a real winning mentality and steel to the side.
The prospect of United losing their opening three games of the season is realistic and considering their poor start to the season, signing Casemiro would be seen as a colossal coup.
