AS Roma have “asked for information” about the prospect of signing Manchester United star Casemiro, according to Sky Sports Italy.
The 32-year-old midfielder, who turns 33 next month, has fallen down the pecking order under Ruben Amorim with the Portuguese coach preferring 21-year-old Toby Collyer over the experienced Brazilian.
Casemiro has not played for United since December 30 during the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle – a match which saw him and fellow 32-year-old teammate Christian Eriksen completely overwhelmed in midfield.
Amorim’s system relies on a pivot midfield with players capable of pressing high to exert pressure on the opposition, but retaining the stamina to be able to cover large distances in transition.
Casemiro, as Madrid were acutely aware when sanctioning his departure in 2022, is no longer capable of this level of physicality in 2025.
Old Trafford executives are open to the Brazilian’s departure, though his costly wage packet – believed to be in excess of £300,000 a week – has meant limited interest in the former Real Madrid man, outside of the Saudi Pro League.
However, Roma have joined Saudi clubs in the queue for the Brazilian with the Serie A side “doing due diligence in the event that they need to find a replacement for Leandro Paredes.”
Roma have asked for information about Manchester United’s Casemiro, according to Sky in Italy.
They are doing due diligence in the event that they need to find a replacement for Leandro Paredes 🔴 pic.twitter.com/UFfHWuF5qW
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 28, 2025
Tweet: “Roma have asked for information about Manchester United’s Casemiro, according to Sky in Italy. They are doing due diligence in the event that they need to find a replacement for Leandro Paredes.”
The slower pace of the Italian league, in comparison to the break neck speed of English football, would lend itself more readily to Casemiro at this stage of his career.
Roma also play a three-man defensive structure but with five in midfield, and three in central areas. This means Paredes is often deployed as the defensive midfielder in a three-man unit – the type of system Casemiro thrived in at Madrid.
This structure would allow willing runners, such as Manu Kone and Niccolo Pisilli, to play either side of the 32-year-old Brazilian; rather than Casemiro himself being forced do the hard yards, as he has under Amorim and, previously, Erik ten Hag.
Roma’s top earner is Argentine forward Paulo Dybala, who reportedly takes home a £210,000-a-week wage packet. This is still largely dwarfed by Casemiro’s salary at Old Trafford, but perhaps the Brazilian would be willing to compromise on his wages to play regular football at one of Italy’s biggest clubs.
Or, conversely, Roma may look to strike a deal with United to take Casemiro on loan for the remainder of the season, with the Red Devils funding some of the 32-year-old’s wages, while the Serie A side pay the rest.
This would still equate to a considerable saving for United at a time when the club’s finances are under intense pressure due concerns over Profits and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Particularly for a player who is evidently not in his manager’s first-team plans moving forward.
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.
