Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel wants his club to attempt to sign Manchester United midfielder Casemiro this summer – but the Brazilian does not appear to have any desire to leave Old Trafford.
Casemiro joined United in a £70million deal last summer to end a trophy-laden nine years at Real Madrid – where he won five Champions League crowns at the base of a midfield alongside Toni Kroos and Luka Modric. The trio formed a formidable partnership that largely dominated Europe.
The Brazilian’s arrival has helped transform Erik ten Hag’s team this season. He has added balance, control and structure to a team that desperately needed such attributes. He is likely to be a contender for the Player of the Year award in the Premier League.
Casemiro has proven to be a catalyst in United's upturn in form this season – ending their six-year drought without a major trophy as they won the EFL Cup earlier this season. They are also into the FA Cup semi-finals, the last eight of the Europa League and are in the top four of the Premier League.
As reported by German media outlet Kicker, new Bayern boss Tuchel wants to transform his midfield this summer with Casemiro said to be top of his transfer wishlist. He is said to be demanding a top-class holding midfielder.
Tuchel does not believe that any of the current options of Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka or Ryan Gravenberch are up to the job and neither is Konrad Laimer, who is joining from RB Leipzig. The same is true for Marcel Sabitzer, who is currently on loan at United.
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Casemiro, who has scored five goals and provided seven assists for United this season, is said to be on Bayern’s shortlist. However, the camp of the Brazilian have already indicated that an exit from the English club is unlikely.
Oscar Ribot, whose Best of You agency acts on behalf of Casemiro, said of the midfielder’s future, in quotes carried by The Guardian: “Case[miro] has signed for four years plus one. He’s come to win titles; this month has been hard, but there’s nothing else on his mind.”
Ribot added, of Casemiro’s likelihood of staying in football after his retirement from playing: “He says he won’t be a coach, but he will. He’s already one in a footballer’s body. This month, he’s watched everything, calculating the points needed and the days left.”
