Manchester United backed in their pursuit of Real Madrid midfielder
Written By
Ernest SundayA passionate sports journalist with an eye for detail.
Manchester United are said to have abandoned their pursuit of Adrien Rabiot, who they saw as an alternative to Barcelona's talent Frenkie de Jong.
The Premier League club had been in discussions with the Frenchman's agent, Veronique Rabiot, who is also his mother, after agreeing on a fee of around £15 million with Juventus for the 27-year-old.
According to reports, United decided to pull out of the deal due to an inability to reach an agreement on the player's salary with the two parties considerably far apart.
The Red Devils have turned their interest to Real Madrid's Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, who has three years remaining on his contract with the La Liga club.
Following news of Manchester United's interest in Casemiro, former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Darren Bent has backed the move, claiming he is better than any midfielder at Old Trafford.
"He is better than what they have got," Bent said in a live radio presentation with talkSPORT. "He is a good holding midfielder in midfield three." My only concerns are if this is who they wanted, why has it taken them this long? It is so scattergun. "
Casemiro is said to be open to a new chapter in the Premier League after a successful nine-year spell with Real Madrid. At the same time, Real Madrid are willing to let him go, having signed young midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni.
Manchester United have been looking for a capable midfielder since the arrival of Dutch manager Erik ten Hag, with Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong as the ideal candidate.
The Red Devils have stepped up their search for a holding midfielder before the transfer window closes, particularly after being outplayed in their first two Premier League defeats to Brighton and Brentford.
United initially agreed on a fee of over €80 million with Barcelona for de Jong, but the Dutch player refused to join the club, declaring his desire to remain in Barcelona before United turned their attention to Rabiot.
With their sights set on Casemiro, United will attempt to persuade the midfielder and Real Madrid to agree to a transfer. Despite their desire to sign another midfielder, United are still interested in signing Frenkie de Jong if a positive response is received.