Real Madrid are not closed to the possibility of selling Casemiro but will demand a big fee from Manchester United, according to reports in Spain.
Erik ten Hag is eager to add two new midfielders to his team before the transfer window closes and has finally – begrudgingly – accepted that a deal for Frenkie de Jong will not happen.
United have begun exploring alternatives for the Dutchman, though have backed away from a deal for Juventus’ Adrien Rabiot due to his huge salary demands.
In addition to a playmaking, creative central midfielder, Ten Hag also wants a defensive, destructive presence to provide protection in front of the defence and that has seen them sound out the possibility of signing Casemiro.
While United have yet to make contact with Real, they have club officials in Madrid and are exploring the logistics and likelihood of luring the player to Old Trafford.
Real have little immediate desire to sell Casemiro, but Spanish radio station Onda Cero claim they could be tempted to cash in if they receive a big offer.
That figure has been set at €70m (£59m) and would be considered too good to turn down, though it remains to be seen if United would be prepared to pay so much for a player who turns 31 in February.
Casemiro cost just €6m (£5m) when he moved to the Bernabeu in 2013 from Sao Paulo and selling him for such profit would be a big boost to Real’s finances and give them an enormous amount of wiggle room as far as La Liga’s FFP rules are concerned.
Carlo Ancelotti still sees the Brazilian as a vital part of his squad and would be reluctant to see him leave, though there is also recognition that they have a number of quality options in midfield.
In addition to the tried and trusted trio of Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, Ancelotti also has Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Ceballos and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Real’s two young Frenchmen both started Real Madrid’s first match of the new Liga campaign against Almeria, with Casemiro on the bench.
In addition to the Champions League holders being open to selling Casemiro if the right bid arrives, Marca report that the player himself is also weighing up the possibility of leaving the Bernabeu.
While he is happy and settled in Spain, he has not closed the door to a possible exit and is now evaluating the project on offer at United as well as whether he would be willing to spend a season outside of the Champions League.
For now, though, United have not made any bid and the Red Devils are currently scrambling to reinforce their squad in a couple of different positions before the window shuts.
