Casemiro, a midfielder for Real Madrid who is eager to test himself in the Premier League with Manchester United, has been confirmed as being in talks to leave the club by manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Casemiro decided he had nothing left to prove to the reigning European champions, and KFN had earlier reported that he had reached a personal agreement with the Red Devils. A €70 million transfer to United is now on the table.
When questioned about the transfer during a press conference on Friday, Ancelotti insisted that nothing is finalised just yet, but out of respect for the Brazilian, Real is working to fulfil Casemiro’s wish.
“I have spoken with him,” Ancelotti revealed. “He wants to try a new challenge, the club understands that.
“Casemiro, for what he has done and the person he is, we must respect that desire. There are negotiations, it is not official, he is still our player but his will is to leave. If it does, we have resources to replace him.”
On if he had tried to convince Casemiro to stay, Ancelotti responded: “No, I have only listened.
“He has helped us a lot. I listened to his will, his wish, there is no going back. If everything goes well for him and there is agreement, we will wish him the best and look at what we have. It is difficult to speak, but we don’t know what will happen. If he doesn’t stay, the thanks are big for him.
“Yesterday I realised that this could happen. The plans don’t change. They are to fight and compete, with him or without him. That said, we all recognise the importance of this player, a player who has combined very well with the other midfielders with more quality. He is important and has been key to Madrid’s success.”
Ancelotti acknowledged that despite all his praise for Casemiro, he didn’t understand why the midfielder would forego his success with Real to join a United team that was in serious disarray.
He said: “I can’t answer as to why Casemiro would trade the European champions for a struggling side, it’s his personal decision.”
