Casemiro sends message to Man Utd over Roma loan move

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro is open to joining Serie A side Roma in the final week of the January transfer window, according to reports.

Casemiro initially impressed at OId Trafford following his £70m move from Real Madrid in 2022, but has badly struggled for form and consistency since then.

The Brazillian looked off the pace during last month’s 2-0 home defeat against Newcastle and has been an unused substitute in the following six games in a clear sign that he has fallen out of favour under Ruben Amorim.

The 32-year-old has previously attracted interest from Saudi Arabia, but is now the subject of interest from Roma who could be in the market for a midfielder should they sell Leandro Paredes.

According to Sky Italy, the Italian club have approached United to enquire about taking Casemiro on a six-month loan, with the Brazillian said to be interested in the move.

United, meanwhile, are said to prefer a permanent transfer for Casemiro whose contract at Old Trafford runs until the end of next season.

Any possible loan deal, however, could be hampered by Casemiro’s exorbitant salary.

The midfielder remains the club’s top earner on an eyewatering £375,000-a-week, meaning United would likely have to subsidise his wages to get a deal get over the line.

Another potential avenue for Casemiro could be a move to Turkey, with former United boss – and current Besiktas manager – Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said to be keen on bolstering his squad by signing the experienced midfielder.

Speaking on Tuesday about Casemiro’s lack of game time, Amorim admitted that his tactical set-up doesn’t necessarily suit the midfielder’s profile.

‘We understand that Casemiro has other things nowadays,’ he told TNT Spots Mexico. ‘The intelligence that he has to understand the game but we’re in a league that I can see, even in European competitions, the difference in intensity is great.

‘And so, I feel that this team also needs players with a very high intensity. And sometimes we don’t have that and sometimes that difference in characteristics can lead one player or another to play.

‘I need some players in certain positions with a slightly different pace. But we all know the quality Casemiro has and everything he won. And so, I have nothing to say about that. It’s just a choice.’

While Casemiro could be set for the exit, Amorim is seemingly closing in on his first signing as United boss after the club reportedly agreed a €37.5 million (£31.4m) deal with Lecce for Patrick Dorgu.

The versatile defender is seen as a ready-made solution to United’s lack of a natural left wing-back for Amorim’s three-at-the-back formation.

United are also exploring a deal to sign Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku who has found regular league minutes hard to come by under Enzo Maresca.

A potential swap deal between Alejandro Garnacho and Nkunku has even been mooted, with the Frenchman only keen on a permanent exit from Stamford Bridge.

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