Manchester United have internally discussed the prospect of recruiting a West Ham player they signed just last year to Old Trafford, with indications of which high-profile star he might replace.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe aims to inject a youthful and dynamic essence into Man Utd’s squad starting from this summer and beyond. Veterans Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial are poised to depart as free agents on June 30 after their contracts expired.
Another prominent figure facing an uncertain future is Brazilian midfielder Casemiro. Despite a stellar debut season at Old Trafford, the 32-year-old struggled significantly in the 2023/24 campaign. Following a particularly disappointing performance against Crystal Palace, he was advised to seek a move away from England to avoid further scrutiny.
Casemiro is among several players Man Utd are open to offloading this transfer window, a move that would also alleviate a substantial £350,000 per week from the club’s wage bill. While Bayern Munich explored a potential transfer, they ultimately reignited their interest in Fulham’s Joao Palhinha after discussions with Casemiro about wages fell through.
Reports from Brazil suggest that a move to Saudi Arabia, where interest in experienced stars remains robust, could be the most viable option for Casemiro’s departure.
In a late-night update on Wednesday, renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealed insights into Man Utd’s plans for Casemiro’s potential replacement in midfield. According to Romano, the club is seriously considering recruiting Mexico captain Edson Alvarez from West Ham if Casemiro departs.
“Man Utd seriously considering bringing in a new midfielder — almost certain if Casemiro leaves,” Romano stated. “Mexico captain Edson Alvarez is one of the options under discussion internally and is highly regarded by manager Ten Hag.”
Alvarez, who previously played under Ten Hag at Ajax, joined West Ham in 2023 for £35.4m as a replacement for Declan Rice, who moved to Arsenal for £105m. Now, just a year later, Alvarez could be on the move again, potentially filling the void left by Casemiro at Old Trafford.
While discussions about Alvarez are ongoing at Man Utd, his connection with Ten Hag could play a pivotal role in any potential transfer. However, West Ham considers Alvarez a key player, which could complicate negotiations.
If a move for Alvarez does not materialize, Man Utd has identified other midfield targets, including Amadou Onana, Joao Gomes, Joao Neves, and Morten Hjulmand, as potential alternatives.
At this early stage, any potential transfer remains speculative, but Man Utd’s interest in Alvarez is likely to unsettle West Ham. Should Casemiro indeed leave, the pressure to secure a replacement will intensify for the Manchester club.
