There could well be significant change in midfield next season for Manchester United. Of course, it is currently unclear who their new manager will be, and that person could have a say on incomings and outgoings.
One thing is for sure, though; Casemiro will leave the club at the end of the season.
Casemiro-Ugarte-Man-Utd
That is certainly going to be a big loss for the Red Devils.
The Brazilian has been a key man at the heart of their midfield over the last four years, and he will certainly not be easy to replace, both as a combative midfielder and a leader.
However, it seems that the INEOS regime may have identified someone who could step into his shoes next term.
Man United lodge bid to sign Casemiro replacement
There have already been a few names floating about when it comes to midfield targets for United next summer.
casemiro-man-utd-career-path
One of these players is Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, who played under Michael Carrick at the Riverside Stadium.
However, they may also cast the net further afield than English football. Reports in Spain, via Football365, suggest the Red Devils have put an ‘offer on the table’ to sign Real Madrid and Uruguay midfielder Federico Valverde in the summer.
It is reported that INEOS have bid £114m for the 27-year-old, eclipsing the current club record £89m deal for Paul Pogba.
It seems as though Valverde is unhappy with his situation at the Bernabeu, with Jude Bellingham playing in midfield and the Uruguayan international being relocated to right-back.
federico-valverde-real-madrid-premier-league
Thus, he could choose to ‘accept’ United’s big-money offer of a move to Old Trafford in the summer, with the player supposedly willing to leave for more playing time.
Why Valverde would be United's new Casemiro
It would be an extraordinary coup if United were able to tempt Valverde from the Spanish capital in the summer.
Very much in his prime years, the versatile Los Blancos star was described as perhaps “the most complete player in football" by former manager Carlo Ancelotti.
federico-valverde-real-madrid
This season has been business as usual for the 27-year-old. He’s played in a few different roles in what has been a turbulent campaign for Madrid so far, grabbing two goals and an impressive 12 assists across 32 games in all competitions so far.
Not only is the Montevideo-born midfielder someone who can operate in a few different positions, but he also has a real knack for scoring a wondergoal.
Just look at this free-kick against local rivals Atletico Madrid back in January, fired into the top corner from 30 yards out.
Looking at some of his underlying numbers this season, it is easy to see what type of player United would be signing. Valverde is super off the ball, winning an average of 61.3% of his duels per 90 minutes this season, and creating 1.54 chances each game.
That ranks him in the top 10% and 11% respectively of midfielders in La Liga.
Valverde - 25/26 La Liga
Stat (per 90)
Assists
Chances created
Duels won
Possession won in final third
Long balls completed
Stats from Fotmob
Perhaps that is an example of why he’d be like the second coming of Casemiro at Old Trafford. The Brazilian will not be an easy player to replace.
He’s played 151 times in that famous Red shirt, chipping in with 36 goals and assists.
However, he brings so much more than that, with leadership a huge part of what he contributes in the dressing room. Few players understand better what it is like to be a leader at a gargantuan club quite like Valverde, though.
He’s skippered Madrid countless times during his career, and that is certainly something transferable to Old Trafford. Add into the equation how good he is on the pitch, with his work off the ball and contributions going forward, and he seems like an excellent option to replace Casemiro.
federico-valverde-real-madrid
United would be signing a high-reputation midfielder from Madrid who will bring leadership and quality. That certainly sounds familiar, with this signing arguably a carbon copy of the deal to bring Casemiro to the Premier League four years ago.
Of course, £114m is a huge investment for the Red Devils to make. But there is a huge upside for Valverde, who brings plenty of desirable qualities and could certainly be the second coming of Casemiro.
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