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Man Utd 'beating Liverpool' in £51m race for new Casemiro thanks to two players
Man Utd are on the hunt for a Casemiro replacement and could pip Liverpool to a £51m signing this summer.
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Manchester United are reportedly interested in a summer deal for Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners as Erik ten Hag prepares to replace Casemiro in his midfield. The Red Devils, thanks to Amad Diallo and Rasmus Hojlund, believe they have the upper hand on their rivals for his signature, including Liverpool.
Casemiro is expected to leave Old Trafford this summer amid interest from Saudi Arabia, just two seasons after arriving in a £70million deal from Real Madrid.
The 32-year-old enjoyed an impactful first campaign on English shores but has lost his way this term, contributing to underwhelming results that have stalled the progress under Ten Hag.
He remains a prominent figure in the squad, though, and would require a replacement if he is to pursue a new challenge and, in turn, boost United's transfer kitty at the start of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's regime.
According to Tuesday's edition of Gazzetta dello Sport, United's interest in Koopmeiners has accelerated since the January transfer window.
The M16 giants are said to have joined Atalanta's Serie A rivals Juventus and Premier League foes Liverpool in the frame for his services.
The report adds that United believe they are in pole position for the 26-year-old due to their outstanding relationship with the Bergamo club.
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United shook hands with Atalanta on an initial £17m deal for Amad in January 2021, adding the 21-year-old, then a teenager, to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's ranks.
That deal helped the club two years later. Last summer, Paris Saint-Germain was willing to pay more for Hojlund, but Atalanta were keen to strike a deal with United. The Denmark international joined for £72m.
Koopmeiners could be the next to make the switch. Given his 21 caps for the Netherlands national team, he fits the mould of a Ten Hag signing at Old Trafford.
It's claimed that the versatile midfielder - who has 12 goals and four assists to his name in 34 appearances this season - would cost around £51m.
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Juventus are reportedly acceptance that they wouldn't be able to match the financial power of Premier League interest, and have therefore been laying the foundations of an approach.
United's budget will depend on player sales, though. Ratcliffe is combatting Financial Fair Play restrictions and the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules in his first summer.
Casemiro's exit could help fund the capture of a new midfielder. Last summer, Al-Ittihad splashed £40m to sign Fabinho, another ageing Brazilian midfielder, from Liverpool.
That sort of fee would go a long way to recruiting a worthy replacement, and Koopmeiners may fit the bill.