Manchester United are now weighing up a stunning January 2026 move for a midfielder who could replace Casemiro at Old Trafford, according to sensational reports.
Casemiro has entered the final 12 months of his Manchester United deal and the 33-year-old midfielder is expected to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season.
United are unlikely to hand the Brazilian a new deal and Casemiro will be free to speak with clubs outside of England in January to sign a pre-contract agreement.
Casemiro has played a key role in the United first-team squad since Ruben Amorim arrived at Old Trafford and saw a resurgence in form in the 2024-25 campaign.
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Harry Maguire speaks with teammate Casemiro during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford in 2025 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Man Utd to ‘target’ Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher ahead of Casemiro’s Old Trafford exit
Casemiro has attracted interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia in the past and the former Real Madrid star could still leave Manchester United in January.
According to The Daily Mirror, United are now considering ‘shock move’ for Atletico Madrid star Conor Gallagher once the January transfer window opens up in 2026.
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Conor Gallagher has been on United’s radar in recent months and the newspaper claims that the 25-year-old is one of the ‘alternative options’ for the Red Devils.
The outlet reports that Ruben Amorim wants to add a new midfielder to his ranks at Old Trafford after United failed to bring in a new midfield player in the summer.
The Daily Mirror suggested that Gallagher’s struggles at Atletico Madrid this season could pave the way for the England international’s exit from the La Liga club.
The Three Lions star has been at Atletico since 2024 after his Chelsea exit and it is believed that United could land Gallagher in January 2026 ‘at the £50m mark.’
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Man Utd identify Carlos Baleba as another midfielder replacement for Casemiro amid the Conor Gallagher transfer interest
Carlos Baleba was subject to United’s interest in the summer and the Red Devils appeared keen to sign the 21-year-old Cameroonian midfielder from Brighton.
However, Brighton played down United’s intensified transfer interest in Carlos Baleba by placing a hefty transfer price tag on the Cameroon international in the summer.
The Mirror has claimed that the Seagulls remain firm on their position over United target Baleba and won’t let the former Lille midfielder leave on a ‘cheap’ fee.
It has been added that the eye-watering £110m price tag floating over Baleba’s head has ‘put off’ United compared with the Conor Gallagher option on the table.