Manchester United midfielder Casemiro “could use” a transfer to the Saudi Pro League during the January transfer window after falling out of favor at Old Trafford, a report claims.
Casemiro has often been linked with a move away from Old Trafford over the past year. His United career has tended to be characterized by extremes, with heroic displays also mixed with performances that show the Brazilian’s best years are ultimately behind him.
The 32-year-old, perhaps the best defensive midfielder in the world during his Real Madrid hype, started Monday night’s Premier League defeat at home to Newcastle United. But it was his first home start in a month, after being largely an unused substitute for Ruben Amorim.
Brazilian publication UOL reports that Casemiro’s situation at United would “speed up the process” and that there are “no major obstacles” to a move.
It is not yet known to which club in Saudi Arabia he could move. The sovereign wealth fund, otherwise known as the Public Investment Fund (PIF), controls a number of clubs – Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ittihad and Al Ahli – and would have to decide where to base themselves. Casemiro.
Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq is owned by the government’s Ministry of Sports, while Al Qadsiah is the domain of Saudi Arabia’s state oil company.
Each club currently has a maximum number of foreign players allowed, meaning that departures would first have to facilitate new arrivals from abroad. Al Nassr might be the most obvious choice because of Casemiro’s relationship with former Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.
Casemiro is one of the highest earners at Manchester United, along with him restless Marcus Rashfordwhich would also make the separation financially beneficial during challenging times.
Co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe shared a view of the relentless cost-cutting that has largely affected day-to-day staff and fans rather than underperforming players, while dealing with wasteful spending by sacking Erik ten Hag, hiring Ruben Amorim and hiring and firing Dan Ashworth.
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