Manchester United have released an official statement announcing they have reached an agreement with La Liga giants Real Madrid for the transfer for Casemiro for £60 million, with add-ons worth £10 million. According to the Athletic’s David Ornstein, Casemiro will pen a four-year deal, with an option of fifth year.
While Erik ten Hag did demand the signing of a midfielder from La Liga, Casemiro came out of the blue despite United agreeing a deal for Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong. However, the move now seems highly unlikely since the Red Devils have acquired the services of the Madrid star. Casemiro is reportedly set to earn a whopping £350,000-a-week with his new side.
Is Casemiro set for a blockbuster debut against Liverpool?
The signing of Casemiro has sent United fans into a frenzy, after United were failing to land any of their top targets this summer. However, Ten Hag will finally welcome is fourth signing of the summer in the Brazilian midfielder after the acquisitions of Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia.
While a move has been finalized, and Casemiro is reportedly in Manchester to put pen to paper the excitement is sky-high over his debut for the Devils. With United facing Liverpool next, on the back of two consecutive defeats Casemiro’s signing has inflicted some strength into the club. However, the 30-year-old will not make the starting line-up or the bench against the Reds.
The midfielder’s UK visa requirements are yet to be stamped and sealed which will prevent him from featuring against Liverpool. Furthermore, Casemiro is yet to put finishing touches to his move by agreeing personal terms on that £350,000-per-week contract and complete his medical in Manchester.
As a result, Casemiro will be missing the Liverpool clash on August 23. Nonetheless, he should be available for United’s trip to Southampton on next weekend. But Casemiro will have to wait for his home debut at the Old Trafford until next month, when United welcome Arsenal on September 4.
Casemiro’s move to United came as a shocker since he has achieved everything at Real and formed the arguably best midfield trio alongside Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. The Los Blancos’ manager Carlo Ancelotti shed some light on the matter as he revealed Casemiro was seeking a “new challenge” when he came to have the conversation.
Ancelotti said: “I have spoken with Casemiro. Casemiro wants to try a new challenge, and I and the club understand that. After all, he’s done for this club, we need to respect his decision. Negotiations are ongoing but he has decided to leave Real Madrid. We want to wish him the very best. Just yesterday I realised that Casemiro is leaving, but our plans don’t change – we’ll compete for everything with or without Casemiro.”
The Brazilian won 18 trophies in his eight years at Santiago Bernabeu which include a staggering five Champions League titles. He will now reunited with his former teammates from Real, Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane at United who arrived at the club last summer.