24 January 2024 , 14:57
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Al-Nassr are ready to table a 'huge offer' for Casemiro following an endorsement from the Manchester United midfielder's former team-mate, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Brazil international, 31, joined the Red Devils from Real Madrid last summer and quickly established himself as an influential figure under Erik ten Hag, however, the veteran has struggled for form and fitness this term.
It has since emerged that United are open to selling Casemiro if they can recoup an adequate chunk of the £60million fee they parted with to sign him last summer, and Al-Nassr has emerged as a potential destination for the multi-time Champions League winner.
A new report from The Mail has outlined that the Saudi Pro League outfit are willing to put together a substantial offer for Casemiro after being urged to do a deal by Ronaldo.
Casemiro, who played alongside Ronaldo briefly at Old Trafford before the legendary striker's contract was ripped up back in November 2022, was touted to clubs in Saudi Arabia by United football director John Murtough recently.
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It emerged last month that Murtough had travelled to the Gulf State in a bid to drum up interest in several players unwanted players including Casemiro, Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho.
While it remains to be seen if Casemiro would be open to joining Ronaldo at Al-Nassr, his days at the club appear to be numbered following the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
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Al-Nassr have been encouraged to sign Casemiro by his former Man United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo (Getty Images)The Ineos chief, a boyhood United fan, will assume full control of sporting operations at Old Trafford once his £1.25billion deal for a 25 per cent stake in the club is formally ratified in the coming weeks.
Previous reports have detailed that Ratcliffe - speaking before his pursuit of a minority stake in the club - had cited the signing of Casemiro as a chastening example of United's poor recruitment strategy, but attempts to find a buyer for him have been hampered by his huge salary.
The British billionaire, who landed a major coup by poaching the club's new chief executive, Omar Berrada, from Manchester City at the weekend, is set to authorise an audit of the club's recruitment strategy. Ineos' sporting director, Sir Dave Brailsford, will oversee the process.
It remains to be seen if there will be any transfer activity at Old Trafford before next week's deadline with bigger changes expected to come in the summer.