Casemiro is contemplating leaving Manchester United for one last payday in Saudi Arabia but is reluctant to force an exit, according to reports.
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The 31-year-old has struggled for both form and fitness this season and has missed United’s last four Premier League matches as well as their crunch Champions League ties against Copenhagen.
He picked up an ankle problem while on international duty with Brazil last month and then suffered a hamstring injury on his return to action against Newcastle, with the veteran expected to be sidelined until after Christmas.
There is now the potential that Casemiro might not don a United shirt again, however, with Relevo reporting that he is considering his options ahead of the January window opening.
The former Real Madrid superstar, who was so used to being part of a winning machine at the Bernabeu, is slightly disillusioned by United’s lack of competitiveness this season.
He moved to Old Trafford in the hope of challenging for the title, but United have already lost nine of their 18 games in all competitions this season and now face a challenging run of games.
Casemiro still has two-and-a-half years left on his current contract, with the option for an additional year, but he is giving serious thought to jumping ship.
He is attracted to the possibility of playing in Saudi Arabia, particularly with so many of his former team-mates – for club and country – currently playing there.
Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Fabinho and Roberto Firmino make up a glittering quintet of players Casemiro knows well, and who would help him settle in Saudi Arabia.
He does not currently have an official offer on the table from the Saudi Pro League but several clubs would be willing to submit a proposal – both to United and Casemiro – if he decides he wants to leave Old Trafford.
United are conscious of the fact that Casemiro could be tempted into leaving, but they want him to stay and feel he is a valuable part of the leadership group at the club.
They hope to convince him to stay for at least one more full season, while there is little chance he will be allowed to leave in January unless a gargantuan offer is made, with manager Erik ten Hag currently dealing with an injury crisis.
There is also optimism that United’s incoming injection of cash and fresh ideas from Sir Jim Ratcliffe might ease Casemiro’s concerns over their lack of form recently and get the team back on track to challenge for major honours.
While Casemiro would like to explore a potentially massive payday from Saudi, he has not ruled out staying at United either and certainly has no intention of forcing a move.
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