Casemiro is set to leave Manchester United at the end of the season. Four years at Old Trafford. A successful stint. But now? He’s off.
The Brazilian arrived from Real Madrid with a trophy cabinet bursting at the seams. Five Champions Leagues. Every major honour in Spain. One of the most respected defensive midfielders of his generation.
Now United need to find his replacement. And Casemiro has already done some scouting for them.
The three names
Casemiro has previously praised three potential successors, all of them currently at his former club.
Federico Valverde. Eduardo Camavinga. Aurelien Tchouameni.
Combined worth? £212million.
On Valverde
The Uruguayan is viewed as an outsider in Madrid following a training ground confrontation with teammate Tchouameni. Club officials are enraged. They may consider offloading him this summer.
Valverde’s contract runs until 2029. His asking price will be substantial. Firm links to United have yet to surface.
But Casemiro is convinced he’d suit the club. Speaking after leaving 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.”
On Camavinga and Tchouameni
Camavinga is another talent Madrid are willing to entertain offers for. He’s featured less prominently in recent months. United have been linked. He’s been omitted from France’s World Cup squad.
Tchouameni has also been touted with a switch to Old Trafford. But Manchester City could prove crucial to this deal.
Madrid are plotting a move for Rodri. The City midfielder has just over a year remaining on his contract and has previously acknowledged that “you can’t turn down the best clubs in the world.”
Should Rodri move to the La Liga heavyweights, that could pave the way for United to secure Tchouameni’s signature.
Casemiro has previously praised the French pair, insisting he was leaving Madrid “in good shape” for the future.
“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.”
The bottom line
All three have earned Casemiro’s stamp of approval. All three would cost a fortune.
United need midfielders. Madrid may need to sell. The stars could align.
But £212m? That’s a lot of money. Even for a club desperate to rebuild.
Casemiro has named his successors. Now it’s up to United to see if they can land any of them.
