Manchester United are preparing to offload Casemiro this year and could agree a settlement to terminate his contract early, according to reports. Sir Jim Ratcliffe is set to oversee a dramatic upheaval on and off the pitch at Old Trafford, including fixing United’s inflated wage bill after a decade of mishandled finances.
Casemiro joined the Red Devils in a £70million deal from Real Madrid in 2022 as a late alternative, following Erik ten Hag’s failed summer-long pursuit of Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong.
He enjoyed an impressive maiden season in England, helping Ten Hag end the club’s six-year trophy drought by lifting the Carabao Cup and finishing third in the Premier League.
But poor form and frustrating injury issues have blighted his second year at Old Trafford, raising questions over his long-term future.
Casemiro, who turns 32 next month, still has more than two years to run on his £350,000-a-week contract, with the option to extend it by a further year.
And Ratcliffe is said to be ready to do whatever it takes to help balance the books by shifting the Brazil captain in the coming months.
According to the Star, United are ready to cut their losses rather than wait until the summer to sell Casemiro for a cut-price fee.
It raises the possibility of United agreeing a pay-off with their No. 18, which could reportedly demand £20m or higher in unpaid salary.
The report adds that Ratcliffe and INEOS recognise that Casemiro’s status as United’s highest earner will likely influence future transfer targets’ financial requests.
And it’s even claimed that a departure could come sooner than the summer if the two parties can shake hands on a settlement package before then.
If Casemiro’s contract in M16 is terminated, he would become a free agent and, therefore, allowed to join another club whenever he wants.
Serie A giants AC Milan and Juventus have been mooted as suitors, monitoring developments over Casemiro’s contract situation.
The 31-year-old has also been strongly linked with a blockbuster switch to Saudi Arabia as part of the Saudi Pro League’s next wave of high-profile arrivals this summer.
Casemiro has previously admitted his desire to complete his illustrious career in Brazil, which could be another option. It’s likely too early to return to his homeland, though.
Ratcliffe and INEOS appear to view a future without Casemiro at United and look prepared to back Ten Hag with a replacement in the early stages of their project.
