Saudi Arabian PIF’s change in strategy could have serious impact on Casemiro transfer

It would be very convenient for Manchester United if one of the Saudi PIF teams were to come calling for Casemiro this summer.

The five-times Champions League winner had a shocking season last time around and reports have circulated claiming the United staff believe his “legs have gone”.

Since he is also the club’s biggest earner on £350,000 per week, the need to offload the 32 year old is obvious.

Given his age and salary, Saudi seemed like the logical move after the PIF splashed massive amounts of cash last summer on stars from around Europe.

In fact, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano said yesterday that the interest in Casemiro is still there, despite reports, but that it is taking time to agree the transfer fee and sort out contract details.

Despite Romano’s assurances, though, the radio silence from Riyadh is concerning for United, who would like some certainty over the Brazilian’s departure as they try to shape their squad for the coming season.

The Athletic this morning have published an interesting analysis of the current state of affairs in Saudi that could explain the silence, and it is a concerning story for United’s football administrators, Ineos.

Reporter Adam Leventhal explains that “last year’s talent grab — 97 players were signed in all — won’t be replicated this year.

“Saudi Arabia opened its transfer window without significant fanfare this week (July 18), and a more considered overall approach to recruitment is likely until it closes on September 2, largely in line with European leagues.”

The reason for this, Leventhal reports, is that while the overall budget for the SPL will be higher this year, the ongoing payment of the massive salaries contracted last summer will form part of that budget, leaving much less available for new signings.

Over £700 million was spent on transfers by the big four clubs last season but “those holding the purse strings are keeping a more watchful eye this year,” the reporter says.

This means only strategic purchases to fill specific roles in each club are likely to be considered.

This could be good news or bad news for United and Casemiro, depending on whether a holding midfielder is a priority at any of the PIF clubs.

Even if Romano is right and Casemiro is under negotiation, the “money no object” days of last season are surely gone and United are unlikely to get a huge amount for the aging star whose market value as per transfermarkt is just £17 million.

For Ineos’ part, this presents a dilemma; on the one hand, they will want to extract some transfer fee to help replace the Brazilian, but they know time is of the essence; they will not want to go into next season knowing they will be spending £18 million on a player their own coaches believe is a lame duck. All in all, they will be hoping that no matter what, the exit route is still there for the former Real Madrid man, and that he wants to take it.

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