Real Madrid closed this afternoon the transfer of Casemiro to Manchester United, which pays 60 million plus another ten million in variables for the 30-year-old Brazilian midfielder, who signs for the 'red devils' for four seasons and an optional fifth . Casemiro will charge about 13 million clean for each one, more than double what he charged at the Bernabeu. The agreement, which is not yet official, will be made public in the next few hours.
The sale of Casemiro has been a shock for Madrid and Real Madrid, a very hard blow that nobody expected, least of all Carlo Ancelotti, a staunch defender of a footballer whom he considers the best defensive midfielder in the world.
With ten days to go until the market closes, on August 31, Madrid is not considering signing a replacement for Casemiro. At today's press conference, prior to Vigo's game against Celta, Carlo Ancelotti assured that his team is satisfied with the six midfielders they have at their disposal: Kroos, Modric, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouaméni and Ceballos. “They are very good,” he said.
However, Casemiro's departure has had an impact whose effects remain to be seen. Together with Modric and Kroos, since 2016 he formed what Ancelotti called the Bermuda Triangle (because between the three of them they hid the ball from the rival), Madrid's best midfield in recent years and without a doubt one of the best in Europe . Playing all three together, Madrid has won four Champions Leagues.
Casemiro arrived in Madrid in 2014 as a signing from Castilla and in that season he moved up to the first team and was essential for the whites to win the Champions League (the tenth) in Lisbon against Atlético. In the following season Casemiro was loaned to Porto (trained by Julen Lopetegui) by decision of Ancelotti, who later said that it was the worst decision of his life. He returned the following season, and in 2015-2016 and since then he has been the undisputed starter in Madrid and in the "canarinha".
Family and homely man, little friend of parties unlike other Brazilians and with little presence on social networks Casemiro had always maintained that he wanted to retire in Madrid.
Everything changed on Tuesday, when he received an astronomical offer from Manchester United in the midst of a crisis, but where he will meet up with old acquaintances such as Cristiano and Varane.
At Madrid they are disappointed with Casemiro's decision, but they understand it. "He will sign a super contract, the last of his career," they maintain at the club. Casemiro was going to collect a clean fifteen million at Real Madrid between now and 2025. At Old Trafford he will spend more than 40 million if he stays four years or 50 million if he extends his contract for one more
Ancelotti explained that this morning he spoke with the player to try to convince him to stay and saw that Casemiro's decision was irrevocable: “He has asked us to try another club. He has a new challenge and we have to understand him and accept him with the utmost respect and affection, even if we are disappointed”. Madrid without Casemiro will have to reinvent itself. At the moment, for Vigo he travels without Kroos, with the flu, or Rodrygo, injured
