Joe Cole says it ‘makes sense’ for £70m Man Utd midfielder to leave this January | Football
Former England star Joe Cole says it ‘makes sense’ for Casemiro to leave Manchester United this January given he does not appear to be a part of Ruben Amorim’s plans.
Casemiro hit the ground running at United following a £70million move from Real Madrid in 2022, scoring seven goals in 51 appearances across an excellent debut season.
But Casemiro has struggled to hit those same heights since and the 32-year-old midfielder has made just four starts in all competitions since Ruben Amorim’s arrival in November.
Widespread reports last month claimed Casemiro was intent on leaving the Red Devils and had even reached an agreement over a lucrative transfer to the Saudi Pro League.
It’s understood Casemiro is keen to push through a switch to the Middle East as quickly as possible and Cristiano Ronaldo is actively working to get the Brazil international signed to his club Al-Nassr.
Casemiro’s current contract expires in 18 months’ time and while United have the option to extend this deal by a further year, it appears the five-time Champions League winner is deemed surplus to requirements in the north west.
‘It makes sense,’ ex-Chelsea and England winger Cole said on rumours of Casemiro’s proposed move from United to Saudi Arabia on Al Arabiya News’ The Dressing Room podcast.
‘They’re bringing big, big players over there and Casemiro is a big, big player.
‘It doesn’t look like he’s a part of Amorim’s plans.’
On the same podcast, ex-West Ham forward Carlton Cole argued that a move to the Saudi Pro League could open up an opportunity for Casemiro to ‘revive’ his career.
‘The Saudi Pro League are trying to build something sustainable so they’ve got to get the right players in and they’re not going to just chuck money at anybody,’ the former England striker said.
‘They’re going to chuck money at the right characters and help grow the league to get it to the next level.
‘It seems exciting, there are some proper, world-class players out there! Karim Benzema’s out there… that’s one of my boys. I love him, I love watching him play.
‘It’s good to see. You’ve got Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo. Why wouldn’t you want to go, to be rubbing shoulders with the likes of those world-class players?
‘So when I look at it, Casemiro fits that category because he’s a winner. He’s been winning his whole life so he has to go into that.
‘Him being at Manchester United now, I think it’s gone. He was unbelievable in his first season, you couldn’t stop him.
‘Second season, we saw where he’s at really because his age is kicking on, can’t really dominate a game like he used to. This season, he’s been a bit-part player.’
He added: ‘I think it is the time for him to look at that and think, “Do you know what? Let me go and revive myself again, let me go and be lauded”, it’s a new challenge.
‘Yes, the money does come into it but there’s nothing wrong with that. Go and look after yourself.’
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