Erik ten Hag asked Manchester United to sign him a central midfielder from one of the top sides in La Liga this summer. But instead of landing Frenkie de Jong, it looks like the arrival of Casemiro is a lot more likely to happen.
United insist a move for De Jong is not dead, but there is a general acceptance that if a deal for the Real Madrid midfielder can be agreed instead, then the pursuit of the Dutchman will no longer be financially viable this year.
The fact that United see Casemiro as a midfield alternative so late in the window highlights their scattergun approach, and although he would address the team’s need for a defensive midfielder, it begs the question of who actually wants him.
