Manchester United have agreed a £60million deal for Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro after a breakthrough in talks.
A medical is scheduled for the weekend and the Brazil international will sign a four-year contract at Old Trafford, with the option of a further year.
Casemiro told coach Carlo Ancelotti of his decision to join United as the two met for talks on Wednesday evening after the 30-year-old was informed by Madrid president Florentino Perez that he could choose whether he wished to stay or go.
Ancelotti values Casemiro highly and is loath to see him go as he has been instrumental to Madrid’s tactical set-up, winning 18 titles during his nine seasons there.
However, the midfielder is excited by the prospect of a new challenge in the Premier League of helping to revive United’s flagging fortunes while the lucrative figures on offer make economic sense for the club and player.
Casemiro has three years left on his contract with Real but following the signing of Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco his place is under threat. Casemiro was on the bench last week with Tchouameni starting.
A United delegation travelled to the Spanish capital earlier this week to sound out Madrid’s hierarchy about the prospective move and hope to have it completed by Monday.
Though Casemiro is not the profile of player United had first pursued, Erik ten Hag believes his experience and knowledge can prove invaluable to his new team.
