Casemiro to Man Utd: Players who have left Champions League clubs for Premier League this summer

Casemiro looks to be closing in on a move to Manchester United from Real Madrid.

Per Fabrizio Romano, United are working to get a deal worth up to €70 million approved by Real, with medicals expected to take place imminently and a contract agreed with the Brazilian.

He looks likely to become United’s fourth signing of the summer and their first in midfield despite a long, drawn out saga around Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, which could now be over with Casemiro’s potential signing.

It’s a huge coup for United after a massively disappointing summer in the transfer market that has bled into their first two Premier League games of the season.

Casemiro would become Erik ten Hag’s fourth signing of the summer, but joins a squad that still needs major revisions in the eyes of many. And in doing so, he crucially leaves behind Champions League football, mere months after lifting the trophy for a fifth time with Real.

The 30-year-old has established himself as quite possibly the best defensive midfielder in the world since heading to Madrid in 2013, forging a legendary trio with Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the heart of Los Blancos’ midfield.

But, in heading to Old Trafford, Casemiro will say goodbye to iconic Champions League nights and hello to the more wild world of Europa League nights, at least for one season, following United’s sixth place finish last season.

Considering his abilities and status in the game, that’s pretty absurd. He must be rather keen to head to Old Trafford, for one reason or another.

The Brazilian isn’t the only player to abandon Champions League nights to make the jump for pastures new this summer, however, with a surprising amount of players seemingly open to taking the hit in search of a fresh start.

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