Casemiro emerges as ‘first-choice’ option for major European club, awaiting ‘green light’ for negotiations

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has emerged as the ‘first-choice’ option for one major European club, who are awaiting a ‘green light’ from the Brazilian.

Casemiro, 32, joined United in the summer of 2022 and had an excellent first season at Old Trafford.

The midfielder scored in the Carabao Cup final to help the club lift their first piece of silverware for six years and was crucial in their third-place Premier League finish.

However, this term, his levels have dropped, and he is one of the names that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS will consider selling this summer.

Saudi Arabian clubs have been reported as potential destinations for Casemiro, but a new report from Turkish outlet Akşam has claimed that the United player is the priority target at Galatasaray.

Okan Buruk is currently the manager at the Turkish giants but his contract runs out at the end of the current season. According to the report, Dursun Özbek will offer the head coach a new two-year deal after he is re-elected as Club President.

Buruk has been told by Özbek to prepare his transfer list for the summer, and the Turkish manager wants to strengthen the club’s midfield, with Casemiro being the ‘first choice’ on his list.

The report went on to explain that after the manager’s new contract is confirmed, the Galatasaray management will ‘immediately’ begin their attempts to sign the United midfielder.

The Turkish club’s initial plan is to convince the player to make a move to the Süper Lig, where they are currently topping the table.

Then, should they receive the green light from Casemiro, Galatasaray will begin transfer negotiations with United.