Casemiro will bid farewell to the Manchester United supporters after his final match away to Brighton
Casemiro has one more game in United colours(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Casemiro has high hopes for the future of Manchester United’s midfield, previously praising three of his potential replacements.
The Brazilian will depart Old Trafford after the final game of the season away to Brighton, ending a four-year association with United. Casemiro joined the club after an extremely successful period with Real Madrid, winning every trophy available in Spain.
He became one of the most highly-regarded defensive midfielders in his prime, securing a whopping five Champions Leagues with the La Liga giants. But when it came to his emotional departure from Madrid, the 34-year-old had faith that those taking over his position in the middle of the park had the means to do so.
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The three young stars tasked with replacing the icon included Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde. Now, this trio have been linked with moves to United to take Casemiro’s place once more.
Valverde is regarded as an outcast in Madrid after a training-ground incident with teammate Tchouameni. Reports suggest that club bosses are furious with the 27-year-old and could consider getting rid in the summer.
Concrete links between United and Valverde are yet to emerge, and his transfer fee is likely to be high given his contract ends in 2029. Casemiro is convinced that the Uruguayan would be a good fit after his previous comments on how talented he was at a young age.
Speaking after departing Madrid in 2022, the Brazilian said: “Real Madrid always signs the best players. Fede can do this job, and he’s a player with 10 or 12 years ahead of him. Four or five years ago, I was saying we had one of the best midfields in the world. Fede can play as a defensive midfielder.”
Camavinga is another star that Madrid are open to offers for after playing a lesser role in recent months. United have been linked with the France international, who has been left out of his country’s World Cup squad.
He is joined by Tchouameni, who has been mooted with a move to Old Trafford in the summer. United’s rivals Manchester City could hold the key to this deal asMadrid are eying up a move for Rodri.
The City midfielder has just over a year left on his deal at the Etihad and previously admitted that “you can’t turn down the best clubs in the world” when discussing a move to his home country.
If Rodri does head to the La Liga giants, this may open a door for United to secure Tchouameni’s services. Casemiro has previously spoke highly of the French duo as he claimed he was leaving the club “in good shape” for the future.
He added: “Camavinga showed us last year that he can be a fantastic player. Tchouameni is a player who is well-known at this club; he’s a starter for the French national team. Real Madrid is in good shape and has good players.”
All three targets for United have received the seal of approval from the departing Casemiro. However, any one of the current Madrid stars would command a hefty transfer fee, with a combined valuation of £212m as per Transfermarkt.
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