Carlo Ancelotti confirms Casemiro desire for fresh challenge

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that midfielder Casemiro favours a new challenge amid reports that the Brazilian is closing in on a deal to join Manchester United.

Manchester United have spent the summer chasing Frenkie de Jong, but it looks like the club have finally walked away to settle on Casemiro as an alternative option.

De Jong and Casemiro are two very different midfielders, and this would suggest Erik ten Hag is already changing his approach to how his team needs to play this season. By signing the Brazilian international we are guaranteeing more steel in the middle of the pitch.

Confirming Casemiro’s desire to sound out a new challenge before he retires (he’s only 30), Madrid manager Ancelotti told reporters on Friday, as per Marca: “I have not tried to convince him. I have talked a lot with him, I am very confident with him, he has helped us a lot.

“Listening to his will and desire there is no way to go back. You have to consider this.

“I don’t know what will happen in the next few hours, if he stays or doesn’t. If he does not stay, my thanks are great because he has done it and he is doing it very well.

“I spoke with him this morning. He wants to try a new challenge, a new opportunity.

“The club understands him for what he has done and for the person he is. There are negotiations, nothing is official, but his will to get out of it is clear. If there is an agreement, we have resources to replace it.”

Reports earlier stated that Casemiro has already agreed personal terms with United, so it should be straight forward to get a deal over the line since Real Madrid won’t stand in his way.

Hopefully this is the signing we’ve been crying out for…

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