Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Brazil midfielder Casemiro, with Real Madrid expected to accept an offer of €60m (£50.7m) plus add-ons.
Erik ten Hag’s side have been looking to strengthen their midfield throughout the summer, and will look to seal the deal on Friday after submitting an official bid on Thursday afternoon. The fee could rise to €70m (£59.2m) if certain clauses are met.
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Talks will now continue with the player camp, with United offering a four-year deal plus an option to extend for a further season. Casemiro’s current deal at Real Madrid runs until 2025. United’s director of football John Murtough is working directly on the deal after being pressured by a slow summer of transfer business so far.
Now 30, Casemiro has won five Champions Leagues and four Spanish titles with Real Madrid after joining from São Paulo in 2013. Real signed Aurélien Tchouaméni from Monaco this summer and keeps interest in Bruno Guimarães, but Newcastle will not accept offers. for his midfielder.
United sit bottom of the Premier League after defeats to Brighton and Brentford in their opening two games. The club have been working frantically to strengthen the Ten Hag squad after their dismal start, having signed Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez earlier in the summer.
Talk of a medical for Casemiro on Friday seems premature, meaning he would not be registered in time for Monday night’s Premier League clash with arch-rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford. If the deal goes through, the Brazilian will be reunited with former Real team-mates Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphaël Varane in Manchester.
The board have more irons in the fire as United look to kick-start their struggling campaign, with PSV winger Gakpo, a player suggested by Ten Hag, still on their shortlist. United could also try to revive a move for Ajax winger Antony, although the Dutch side are currently unwilling to sell.
Protests against Manchester United’s owners are expected before and during Monday’s clash with Liverpool. Ineos owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has publicly stated his interest in buying the club from the Glazer family.