Manchester United midfielder Casemiro
Manchester United midfielder Casemiro
As Manchester United sat down to assess their squad heading into the summer transfer window, one of the major issues they had to address was the future of veteran midfielder Casemiro.
The former Real Madrid midfielder has one year remaining on his contract, although have an option to extend that by a further year, and is heading into the twilight years of his career.
He ended last season very well, particularly in the Europa League, and leaned on him as one of his most dependable players.
But, aged 33 and with interest from the Saudi Pro League, this summer was seen as perhaps the last chance for United to be able to recoup a decent fee for a player they paid £70million to sign three years ago.
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is also said to be on £350,000 per week and after he was recalled to the Brazil squad this summer under former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, a claims he has decided he wants to remain at United this summer.
With the 2026 World Cup coming up next summer, Casemiro believes his best chance of being included in the Brazil squad for the tournament is by playing regularly in the Premier League.
From a purely footballing sense, that will please Amorim who believes his leadership and experience in midfield is key to his group.
But from a business sense, it effectively ends any chance of moving on a player on the decline while interest remains high in him.
If United do decide to keep him at the club, then they will have to reduce their wage bill and bring in transfer fees from other areas of the squad.
That places even more importance on United selling the four players they have prioritised selling this summer.
Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho ended last season away from the club on loan and United are keen to sell all three players permanently.
More loan spells for any of those players won't help their PSR situation and the same goes for Tyrell Malacia who will return from his loan spell at PSV.
Alejandro Garnacho has also been told he can leave the club and United must extract the highest possible fee for a 20-year-old who is a proven performer at Premier League level.
Similarly, one of United's goalkeepers are expected to be sold on, while one of Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee could leave the club if United sign a new forward this summer.
If Casemiro is to stay at United, they cannot afford to not get other sales right this summer.