Casemiro’s future at Manchester United continues to be the subject of intense speculation following interest in the Brazilian midfielder during the January transfer window. Linked with a return to his home country as well as clubs in Italy and Saudi Arabia, the 32-year-old remained at Old Trafford past the transfer deadline. Recent weeks also saw the emergence of interest from Turkey, with Besiktas seen as a potential destination for the veteran midfielder. However, that move did not materialize when the transfer window closed on Tuesday, leaving the door open for future moves, particularly in Brazil, where the window remains open until February 28.
Brazilian club Flamengo has reportedly been keeping tabs on Casemiro’s situation at United, where his playing time has been limited under manager Ruben Amorim. Since Amorim’s appointment at the start of November, Casemiro has made just eight appearances for the club, with a total of 24 appearances across the season so far. Amorim has publicly stated that the lack of game time for Casemiro is purely a matter of selection, pointing to the differences in intensity between the Brazilian league and the European competitions in which United participates.
“We know that Casemiro nowadays has other qualities. He’s intelligent, understands the game, and knows where the ball is going to be,” Amorim explained. “But, we are in a league where there is a big intensity difference. Therefore, I feel our team needs players with high intensity, and sometimes we don’t have them. We all know Casemiro’s qualities and everything he has won, so I have nothing to add to that. It’s just a selection choice.”
Despite the lack of playing time, there remains speculation that Casemiro could leave United before the end of the month, with Flamengo seen as a potential destination. Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola has claimed there is a possibility of Casemiro leaving on a temporary basis, as United may be open to allowing the midfielder to leave for regular playing time. However, one major stumbling block in this potential move is Casemiro’s high wages, which could pose a financial challenge for Flamengo.
Flamengo is reportedly only willing to take Casemiro on loan if Manchester United agrees to cover a significant portion of the midfielder’s wages. The arrangement would allow Flamengo to bring in the experienced player for the remainder of the season while mitigating the financial strain of his hefty salary. With the transfer window still open in Brazil, the situation is far from settled, and United’s decision will likely hinge on the midfielder’s willingness to leave for a temporary stint and whether a deal can be struck with Flamengo.
While the speculation surrounding Casemiro’s future continues to swirl, it remains to be seen whether the Brazilian will remain at Manchester United beyond the current campaign. With his game time limited this season, a move could provide him with the opportunity to regain form and secure more playing minutes ahead of important international fixtures.