Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has clashed with the club following a plot to offload him to Galatasaray this summer.
The 2024-25 European transfer window has been slammed shut, but the Turkish transfer window is still open and will be closed on September 13, 2024.
Casemiro, who has endured an underwhelming run with the Red Devils lately, was linked to a transfer from the club this summer. Former Man United transfer chief John Murtough reportedly travelled to Saudi Arabia to weigh up interests for the player for a possible transfer.
It is understood United have not changed their plans for Casemiro even in the new football directorship under the watch of new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Casemiro clashes with Manchester United on Galatasaray move
According to TEAMtalk, after a failed plot to offload Casemiro to Saudi Arabia, United have stepped up talks with Turkish club Galatasaray to sell out the player. Both buy and loan options are on the table.
Galatasaray are reportedly open to a move for Casemiro but are struggling to settle terms with United on the players’ wages should they agree a loan deal for the 32-year-old.
Another stumbling block for a possible move will be Casemiro’s wages. The Brazilian is the highest-paid Manchester United player with a weekly wage of £350,000.
For a permanent deal to happen, Casemiro must be ready to take a pay cut to sign for the Turkish giants. For a loan deal, United may have to cover a significant fraction of his wages.
From the foregoing, United are set to face an uphill task of shifting Casemiro to Galatasaray, and they have a little over a week to do so.
And that is not the only challenge in the Galatasaray transfer plot. According to The Mail, Casemiro is opposed to the move. The report adds that the Brazilian is ready to fight for his place in the squad despite his recent misfortunes.
Why Manchester United are desperate to offload Casemiro
Manchester United have reformed their transfer and player management policy under Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The emphasis is on remuneration based on productivity not rolling out overbloated paychecks for underperforming players.
Casemiro earns £350,000 weekly at Manchester United and has struggled for form since last season. His most notorious blunder came during United’s crushing Premier League defeat to Liverpool before the September international break.
Casemiro erroneously gifted away two quick goals in a space of seven minutes and had to be subbed off in the second half with an academy starlet Toby Collyer coming on.
For United, there is no rationale for keeping a player with such a jumbo paycheck while he is struggling to ace his game at the elite level. Notably, Casemiro has until 2026 before his contract will expire.
While United are exploring alternatives to clear his wages off the club’s payroll, they are now running against time to talk Galatasaray to a deal for the player as well as convince him to agree on personal terms for the transfer to be effected.
How Manuel Ugarte’s arrival will impact Casemiro’s place in United
It is evident Manchester United have gone far on a post-Casemiro United squad plan. The Red Devils have completed the signing of Manuel Ugarte from PSG for £50.5m. The Uruguayan defensive midfielder is expected to compete with Casemiro for a starting role should the latter refuse to leave this summer.
While the Galatasaray transfer saga drags on with all fingers crossed, Casemiro, who has been left out of Brazil’s 2026 World Cup qualifier matches in the September international break, is expected back to United training for the club’s match against Southampton after the break.
Recall the footballer was seen leaving Manchester United Stadium after being subbed off in the second half against Liverpool. However, United manager Erik ten Hag later debunked the report, saying he met the player in the dressing room after the match.
“I met him in the dressing room after the match,” Ten Hag said.
The following days in the Turkish transfer window will offer a clearer picture of the future of Casemiro at Manchester United.
