Why Casemiro is moving from Real Madrid to Manchester United

Casemiro is moving from La Liga side Real Madrid to Premier League club Manchester United, in what many would consider a step-down, given the current form of both sides.

Real Madrid is the Champions League winner while Manchester United finished sixth in the PL last season and won’t play in the Champions League, as a result. Instead, they’ll be competing for Europa glory, which is mainly why Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo sought an early exit. 

Yet, Casemiro has already communicated to his Real Madrid teammates that he’s accepted the offer and bid goodbye to them, Fabrizio Romano reported. The 30-year-old Brazilian is waiting for the clubs to complete the agreement and will then travel to England to complete his medical. 

Carlo Ancelotti, the Los Blancos coach, confirmed “I have spoken with Casemiro. He wants to try a new challenge. We understand his decision”, adding, “Negotiations are ongoing but he has decided to leave Real Madrid”. 

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United have been clamouring for a defensive midfielder, and eyeing Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, with Dutch manager Erik ten Hag trying to get his former Ajax player over to England. However, with the deal stalled, the PL club turned to the ageing Brazilian, who’s one of the world’s finest in his position, and someone who’s got the silverware to show from his time at Madrid. 

The Red Devils have reached a four-year deal with Casemiro, with the option to extend by a year, and the transfer fee is set at €60 million with €10 million add-ons. This would make Casemiro one of the highest-paid United players, and he’d be reunited with his former Real Madrid teammates Ronaldo and Raphael Varane. 

Moreover, Madrid has already signed two young players in the same position over the last year – Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni. Thus, Casemiro must be facing stiff competition to start, but at United, he’d be a welcome addition to the side’s floundering defensive capabilities. 

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Madrid is relatively unfazed by Casemiro’s decision to depart with Ancelotti remarking, “My plans are not gonna change with Casemiro leaving as we have Modrić, Kroos, Tchouaméni, Ceballos, Fede Valverde, Camavinga…”, and added, “Six midfielders are enough for this season. They’re very, very good”. 

He also confirmed that Casemiro wouldn’t be playing the match on Saturday and touted Tchouameni as a replacement, saying “he’s one of the best on the market”. Ancelotti concluded, “Yesterday I realised it was a real thing [Casemiro to Man Utd]. My plans won’t change”.