What Casemiro has said about Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea as Man United close in on £60m transfer

Casemiro has labelled Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel a 'tough' team to play against as the Brazilian closes in on a big money move to Manchester United.

A week ago, the 30-year-old's name was not even mentioned in this summer's transfer window but after the Brentford humbling in the Premier League, the Glazers and the board that represent them have stepped up their transfer game to help out Erik ten Hag. Initially, Frenkie de Jong was the prime number one target for ten Hag but the hold-up with his contract dispute means that the Red Devils can no longer just wait around and hope that things transpire in their favour.

Then it was the turn of Adrien Rabiot and after a week and a bit of negotiations, John Murtough deemed his wage expectations as too excessive. Therefore, Casemiro was the next on the agenda and despite initial fears that the Real Madrid icon would want to stay put, big wages and an opportunity to gain regular first-team football ahead of Qatar 2022 appealed greatly to a player who lost his first-team position in the early parts of 2022/23 to the more youthful pair of Edouardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni.

Chelsea can repeat Frenkie de Jong transfer trick to land £60m Casemiro amid Real Madrid promise

The Manchester Evening News have reported that personal terms have now been agreed on top of the £60million fee. The midfielder is set to undergo his medical imminently and will sign a four-year contract.

There were brief rumours that Chelsea could hijack the deal but it is understood that new owner Todd Boehly wants to continue playing the long game with De Jong. With this in mind, what does Man United's soon-to-be newest recruit think of Chelsea and Tuchel?

Real Madrid and Chelsea have faced off four