Manchester United’s late swoop for Casemiro last summer helped shape a successful first season of the Erik ten Hag era. However, the club’s impulse decision to agree a £70million deal with Real Madrid for the experienced midfielder derailed Ten Hag’s hopes of two blockbuster transfers.
It appeared like a masterstroke as Casemiro helped guide United to their first trophy in six years and a third-place Premier League finish, securing a Champions League return.
But the 31-year-old’s form and injury issues this season have drawn attention to the cons of splurging such a high fee on a short-term fix.
Especially when, in the same summer, West Ham United captain Declan Rice, long-linked with a move to Old Trafford, was there for the taking.
According to The Athletic, United calculated that pursuing Rice, while more expensive, would’ve been more beneficial for the club’s Financial Fair Play situation in the long term.
West Ham reportedly valued the then-23-year-old at £120m, double the initial £60m fee sent to Real for Casemiro, then 30.
Rice’s salary would’ve been significantly smaller than the £350,000 that Casemiro pockets weekly in M16. And a longer contract would’ve helped spread the cost in the club’s accounts over more years.
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