Casemiro rebuffed interest from the Saudi Pro League this summer but there is a “concrete chance” the Manchester United midfielder leaves Old Trafford next year, Fabrizio Romano reveals.
One year left
Casemiro’s contract with the Red Devils pockets the former Real Madrid star around £350,000 a week after his £70 million switch from the Bernabeu in 2022.
He has one year remaining on the deal, though United retain the option to automatically extend this by a further twelve months.
INEOS are believed to have wanted to shift Casemiro this summer – Sir Jim Ratcliffe previously described the 33-year-old’s transfer as “wrong” before becoming United’s co-owner – but the Brazil international was content to remain at Old Trafford.
After Ruben Amorim’s appointment last season, Casemiro initially dropped down the pecking order in midfield.
But he gradually fought his way back into the 40-year-old coach’s mind as the campaign progressed, becoming a key part of the side from February onwards.
This confidence from Amorim has extended into the new season with Casemiro starting in central midfield alongside Bruno Fernandes in each of United’s matches in the Premier League.
Whether the Brazilian remains at Old Trafford at this point next season is another question entirely, however, regardless of how much his manager rates him.
Interest from Saudi Arabia
Fabrizio Romano reveals there there “calls” from the Saudi Pro League in May to enquire about Casemiro.
But this never translated into a “concrete proposal” as the 33-year-old midfielder was happy to stay at United this season, with one eye on next summer’s World Cup in the United States.
Casemiro was recently reintegrated into the Brazil national squad – now managed by Carlo Ancelotti, his former coach at Real Madrid – after an extended absence from the Selecao.
He is intent on making the plane to America next year – and believes a move away from European football would have hurt these chances.
But the World Cup will end around a similar time to Casemiro’s contract expires at Old Trafford, and Romano reveals there is a growing sense this will bring an end to his time in Manchester.
“For 2026, I think there’s a concrete chance to see Casemiro leaving Manchester United. This could be the final season in a European high level and maybe trying for different in 2026,” the Italian transfer expert states on his YouTube channel.
“This is not something decided, this is not something guaranteed. Casemiro is on a big salary at United and so to save that salary in 2026 could be also important for Manchester United in terms of financial fair play waiting to see if they’ll be in Europe.”
United are certain to target an overhaul of their midfield unit next summer with Brighton starlet Carlos Baleba the first-choice target. The Cameroon international will be expensive, however, and someone will have to make room for the 21-year-old’s arrival.
INEOS appear intent on that someone being Casemiro, even if Amorim is set to rely on the Brazilian heavily this season.
Featured image Shaun Botterill 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.
