Manchester United are now ramping up their efforts to sign Casemiro and would like to have the deal done before they face Liverpool on Monday, according to reports.
The Red Devils sent officials to Spain this week to sound out the Brazil international, with United ready to offer him a bumper five-year contract that would nearly double his salary.
On Wednesday, Casemiro spoke to Florentino Perez about United’s approach and although Real do not want him to leave, they feel he has earned the right to decide his future and will not stand in his way.
Perez does, however, expect to receive a huge transfer fee for the five-time Champions League winner with Casemiro likely to command a fee of around £59m.
United had not yet made contact with Real’s hierarchy over the move and were waiting to get the green light from the 30-year-old, having already been burned by their unsuccessful pursuit of Frenkie de Jong.
But now that Casemiro appears very receptive to the move, Spanish television show El Chiringuito TV claim that the Red devils are rapidly accelerating talks.
The player’s future could be resolved in the next 48 hours, with Real ready to cash in for £59m – a fee United are ready to pay – and Casemiro happy with the terms that have been communicated to him.
That salary package – and the duration of the deal – are considered too good to turn down and all parties believe a deal could be done quickly.
In fact, El Chiringuito even go so far as to claim that United want to have Casemiro registered in time to take on Liverpool on Monday – though that seems a little farfetched given that the deadline is noon on Friday.
The Real Madrid midfielder has something of a history against Liverpool, having twice been on the winning side against them in the Champions League final – including last season’s.
Casemiro’s contract offer still needs to be put in writing and an official bid submitted, but another Spanish outlet, Relevo, claims the player has already told team-mates that he sees himself playing at United.
He already has several familiar faces at Old Trafford, having played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane at the Bernabeu, while he often plays alongside Fred for the national team.
Carlo Ancelotti still sees Casemiro as a vital player, but both the manager and the club recognise that landing a big fee for a player who turns 31 in February is a chance that cannot be overlooked.
