Manchester United close in on £60m Casemiro signing and eye Cody Gakpo move

Manchester United hope to announce the signing of Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro for close to £60 million in the next few days and are also now fully turning their attentions to PSV Eindhoven winger Cody Gakpo who will cost around £34m.

An alternative option to Gakpo is the Atletico Madrid forward Yannick Carrasco, who is priced at £25.5m, after United failed with a bid of £67.6m for Ajax’s Antony who was their first-choice.

In yet another busy day at United, as they frantically try to improve their under-performing squad before the transfer window closes in less than two weeks’ time, Casemiro, 30, has indicated he wants to quit Real and sign a four-year deal which will see a significant increase in his wages. 

While he was not an original target for Erik ten Hag, with the United manager steadfastly wanting Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, Casemiro has become a priority as the Dutch manager seeks to bolster his midfield with a highly-experienced No 6. 

Signing the Brazil international will represent something of a coup for United, who are under severe pressure following their dismal start to the campaign and with Ten Hag demanding up to five new signings in this window. Of those Casemiro is set to be the star name to arrive, and although Real do not want to sell him the club, out of respect because of his achievements, have told the player he can go if he wishes. 

Casemiro has three years left on his contract with Real but following the signing of Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco for £67.6m his place is under threat. Casemiro was on the bench last week, as Tchouameni started. 

The five-time Champions League winner has been part of Real’s famed midfield, along with Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, for years but has told team-mates