Following Casemiro’s performance against Fulham on Friday, Manchester United may reconsider a move for £51 million midfielder Manuel Ugarte.
Casemiro had a difficult second season at Old Trafford and was heavily criticised by fans and pundits for his struggling performances last season.
At the end of last season, it was widely expected that Casemiro would move on as there was strong interest in the former Real Madrid midfielder in Saudi Arabia.
And United have been linked with a number of substitutes to partner Kobbie Main in Erik ten Hag’s midfield.
Burnley’s Sander Berge, Atalanta’s Ederson and out-of-contract Adrien Rabiot are all said to be on the Red Devils’ radar, but Ugarte has been their biggest target since the start of the transfer window.
At one point, United broke off negotiations as they could not meet PSG’s £51m asking price, but they are not believed to have returned to the negotiating table despite the Ligue 1 side insisting their valuation remains the same the alleged desperation of the Uruguayans to complete the move to Old Trafford.
A report from Saturday claimed United were “close to reaching an agreement” to sign Ugarte, who would “replace” the player who has raised “warning flags”.
Ugarte, 23, remains United’s top target and they are pushing for an agreement with PSG as talks over a deal progress.
“Sources say the midfielder has given the green light to the move after Luis Enrique told him there was no room for him in his plans for next season. However, the French team’s asking price remains a sticking point in the deal and United have been forced to consider other options.
“Erik ten Hag is keen to sign a new defensive midfielder this summer to replace the ageing Casemiro after his disappointing performance last season.
Football Insider has revealed that Monaco’s Youssouf Fofana and Burnley’s Sander Berge are other names on the Red Devils’ target list.
“Casemiro’s performances towards the end of last season raised alarm bells among United’s coaching staff and finding a long-term replacement has become a priority this summer.”
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But now French journalist Julien Laurens claims United may be considering the need to spend £51m on a player who could potentially sit on the bench after Casemiro impressed in the opening win over Fulham on Friday.
“United have already had two offers rejected, but that was quite a while ago,” Laurens said. “The last three weeks have been a bit quieter, perhaps because if you look at the game (on Friday), we had a good Casimero, much better than anything we saw last season, for example.”
“It’s not the Casimero we saw in Madrid two or three years ago, but he’s much better than what we saw… Would you spend 65 or 60 million on Ugarte when Casimero is in this form? They need more players, that’s for sure, especially in that defensive midfield role.
“But spending all that money on someone who might not be a starting player in your team, I think right now the possibility is Ugarte going to United. I think they’re thinking about it because if (Kobbie) Mainoo and Casimiro can give you a really good season, the replacement player doesn’t have to be worth 65 million.”
