Ancelotti: Casemiro wants to join United

Manchester United are well on their way to bringing Casemiro to the club from Real Madrid for £50.7m with the potential to rise to £59.2m. The medical is due to take place this weekend.

Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has confirmed that the Brazilian wants to sign for United, with reports suggesting the defensive midfielder has been saying his goodbyes to his teammates in Spain today.

I talked to him this morning. He wants to try a new challenge, a new opportunity. I and the club understand it. With what he’s done at this club and the person he is, we have to respect it. There are talks right now, nothing is official, but he wants to leave. We wish him all the best in his next challenge.

The transfer won’t be completed in time for Casemiro to face rivals Liverpool on Monday but we can hope the deal will be completed and visa sorted in time for Southampton away on Saturday.

Casemiro put in a great performance in last season’s Champions League final against Liverpool, going on to lift the trophy for the fifth time in his career, so while he is 30-years-old, he isn’t past it. It’s worth noting that he’s still younger than players like Kevin De Bruyne, Thiago Alcantara and Ilkay Gundogan.

He plays alongside Fred for the national team, allowing our midfielder to play a less defensive role, which is a further bonus.

Erik ten Hag was asked about the transfer during Friday’s press conference but understandably refused to comment, saying: “I’m not going to answer. I can’t tell you anything.”