Casemiro is not interested in leaving Manchester United in January but may be targeted by clubs in Saudi Arabia at the end of the campaign, according to reports. The Brazilian ace enjoyed a stellar first season at Old Trafford but has gone off the boil in recent months due to his struggles with form and fitness.
Casemiro is currently sidelined with a hamstring issue, which is expected to keep him out until after Christmas, but his injury problems have not stopped Saudi clubs from exploring the idea of a move for his services. There is concrete interest from several clubs in the region, according to 90min, but it seems as though Casemiro is unlikely to ditch United in the middle of the season.
The veteran midfielder has no interest in leaving at the turn of the year and is more likely to depart when the season draws to a close, according to GiveMeSport. It is said that although his name is on a list of possible Saudi targets, the indication is that he would not be keen on jumping ship until at least the end of the campaign.
The upcoming January window is expected to be a difficult one for Saudi clubs, with many of them waiting to see how the league table pans out before making any more high-profile signings. Some teams will also need to sell players before they can buy due to their foreign player quotas being full or close to full.
A move for Casemiro, therefore, is unlikely to come to fruition until next summer at which point he would be a more attractive proposition for clubs in the Gulf state. United, meanwhile, would reportedly be open to selling him if they can recoup the £70million fee they paid to Real Madrid in order to get his lucrative wages off their books.
Casemiro is believed to be United’s highest earner after signing a £350,000-per-week deal upon his arrival at Old Trafford last year. He remains tied down until the summer of 2026 but it seems likely that he could move on after just two seasons if United’s demands are met at the end of the campaign.
Meanwhile, it has been reported by The Mirror that Sir Jim Ratcliffe is particularly eager to sell Casemiro if an opportunity arises next year. The INEOS chief, who is on the verge of buying a 25 per cent stake in United and taking control of football operations, was said to have disapproved of United’s decision to spend £70m on the midfielder in the first place.
Few clubs would reportedly be willing to match Casemiro’s current wages due to his age and lack of form at United this season, making Saudi Arabia his most likely destination in terms of a move away. However, only time will tell if a deal comes to fruition in the near future, with Casemiro set to stick around at Old Trafford for at least another few months.
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