Casemiro could be set for a departure from Old Trafford despite the January transfer window having closed in England as the Manchester United midfielder is reportedly “keen” on a move to Besiktas.
The Süper Lig club are interested in signing Casemiro after former Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer identified the Brazilian as a key target, as relayed by The Peoples Person last month.
Solsjkaer was confirmed as the new Besiktas manager in January, bringing an end to a three-and-half-year hiatus from coaching after the Norwegian was sacked from Old Trafford in 2021. And the 51-year-old began life in emphatic fashion in Turkey, defeating Athletic Club 4-1 in the Europa League.
The result was not enough for the club to progress to the next stage of the competition, however, ruling out a potential return for Solskjaer to Old Trafford to face United.
Besiktas are currently stranded in a disappointing 7th place in the Süper Lig. But there is still time for the club to bring in reinforcements as the Turkish transfer window is open until February 11.
This means clubs in Turkey can still make signings from English teams for another week, if the selling club are open to their player’s departure.
United are extremely keen to shift Casemiro and his exorbitant wage packet – believed to be in excess of £350,000 a week – out of Old Trafford, as the 32-year-old midfielder has fallen firmly down the pecking order under Ruben Amorim.
The Portuguese coach has consistently picked academy graduate Toby Collyer ahead of Casemiro, citing the 21-year-old’s stamina and running ability as his selection reasoning. The last match the Brazilian started was the 2-0 demolition by Newcastle at Old Trafford in December – a score line which flattered United – with the Magpies’ midfield overpowering their United counterparts with ease.
Turkish outlet A Spor reveal Casemiro is open to an exit with the 32-year-old now “keen” on a switch to Besiktas after Solskjaer has pushed for his signing.
The report reads, “Manchester United’s world-famous Brazilian star Casemiro is at the top of the list. According to Fotomaç, Beşiktaş has accelerated its efforts to bring in 32-year-old Brazilian defensive midfielder Casemiro. This transfer is seen as an important move that could add leadership to Beşiktaş’s midfield. Casemiro is also said to be keen on Solskjaer’s Kartal.”
The fact that Casemiro now wants this switch, in addition to both clubs involved in the deal, ignites the prospect of a transfer before next week’s deadline in Turkey.
And it would bring a significant financial boost for the Red Devils to be able to shift the Brazilian’s mammoth salary ahead of a crucial summer window for the club.
Featured Image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
