Contact made: Man Utd have held talks to sign £44m midfielder with 93% passing
Manchester United are one of the clubs interested in landing Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado during the winter transfer window, according to Mundo Deportivo (page 5).
The Red Devils secured a convincing 2-0 win over Manchester City in the Premier League last weekend.
It was Michael Carrick’s first game on his return as interim manager, and the 44-year-old made a big mark with probably the best United performance of the campaign.
United’s hierarchy plan to hold an internal meeting to discuss possible signings with Carrick, and Mundo Deportivo now claim that Casado could be a transfer target.
The Spanish publication add that Man Utd have already initiated contact for the player, but they may have to hurry up as Atletico Madrid are also keen to land his services.
The 22-year-old would ideally prefer a move abroad, but he has not ruled out joining Atletico.
His agent Jorge Mendes has close links with Premier League strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers, who are mentioned as another possible destination for the La Masia graduate.
Casado speculation could be agent-driven
United have been linked with multiple midfielders since the last transfer window. Al-Hilal star Ruben Neves was recently mentioned as a target, but the speculation has somewhat diminished.
Neves could be purchased for a package of around £17.5 million, but there is a potential stumbling block. He earns a staggering £294,000 per week at Al-Hilal and wants to play in the Champions League.
This could prompt United to look for an alternative, but we doubt the club will make an approach for Casado, who won’t come on the cheap with another two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract.
Casado has managed 871 minutes from 19 appearances this campaign, but he has gone completely out of the picture over the past month, where he has been a regular unused substitute for Barcelona.
Mendes is one of the best at handling transfer deals. He has already brought the likes of Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte to Old Trafford, and probably wants Casado to make the switch as well.
Casado is a strong ball-playing midfielder who has completed 93 percent of his passes this term. He has also impressed with his tackling, but struggles to contest aerial duels due to his height (172cm).
Barcelona valued him at £44 million earlier this year. We don’t believe United will make such a big outlay on the Spaniard and could wait for their priority targets, who could be available in the summer.
The club have identified Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson as the prime choice to replace Casemiro. Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba are on their radar too.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com, Capology.com & Sofascore.com
Article written by Sri Aswin .