Manchester United midfielder Casemiro is reportedly planning to end his playing career at Old Trafford after quickly adjusting to life in the Premier League.
After the Red Devils’ long pursuit of Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong failed to pay off last summer, Erik ten Hag turned his sights to the five-time Champions League winners.
In his first season in English football, Casemiro was a formidable presence in Ten Hag’s midfield and shone with a string of tough tackles.
The 31-year-old was also a threat at the other end of the pitch with five goals and six assists in 39 games, scoring two goals and providing three more in 19 Premier League appearances.
Two red cards in the top flight were a minor eyesore on Casemiro’s notebook, but the Brazil international’s debut campaign for the 20-time English champions has always been a positive one.
Thanks to Casemiro’s influence, the Red Devils ended their six-year drought for the EFL Cup trophy, while sitting fourth in the Premier League table and in contention for FA Cup and Europa success. League.
Man United spent €70.7m (£63.2m) to snap Casemiro from the Bernabeu last summer and he’s contracted to the Red Devils until 2026 with an option for a further year.
However, the midfielder’s Brazilian teammate Danilo has recently raised the possibility of Casemiro joining Juventus, where he will also be linked with compatriots Alex Sandro and Bremer.
“The perception of Brazilian footballers has changed and where there used to be a clash with Juve, all those players could come here and be in the team for years. I would love to have Casemiro.” It would be at home here”, quotes Danilo on The Express.
However, the right-back’s calls will seemingly fall on deaf ears as The Mirror says Casemiro intends to hang up his boots when his time at Old Trafford comes to an end.
Should Manchester United activate the one-year extension option, Casemiro will be 35 when his contract expires and his agent Oscar Ribot has put to rest any fears of an early departure.
“Case has signed for four years plus one. He came to win titles; this month has been tough, but he has nothing else on his mind,” Ribot recently told The Guardian.
Prior to joining the Red Devils, Casemiro won five Champions Leagues, three Club World Cups and three La Liga titles during a nine-year spell with Real Madrid, also representing Porto and São Paulo during his illustrious career.
The 70-capped Brazil international returned from a four-match ban for Sunday’s Premier League tie against Nottingham Forest, having also played 90 minutes in Thursday’s 2-2 Europa League quarter-final draw with Sevilla.
