Coming from Fabrizio Romano Cristiano Ronaldo ‘demands’ Al-Nassr make shocking transfer swoop for Manchester United midfielder worth £80m

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Manchester United contract was terminated in November 2022 as a result of his public outburst against his then-coach Erik ten Hag. Reports now indicate that Ronaldo encouraged Al-Nassr to pursue Casemiro during their brief three-month playing partnership, hinting to a possible move for the Brazilian midfielder who is willing to take on a “new challenge.”

In recent weeks, there has been increased speculation about Casemiro’s potential departure from Manchester United, especially as the 31-year-old midfield player gets closer to turning 32. Despite having a strong debut season at Old Trafford, some fans are worried about his long-term future with the group, which is made worse by the belief that his play had declined before suffering a hamstring injury.

At the age of 30, Casemiro signed a five-year contract in August 2022, but the agreement has come under fire for what some have called a lack of vision. Although Manchester United has invested a huge £60 million in the midfield player, there are concerns within the team that recovering even half of that sum could be difficult given the current situation and timing.

It has been reported that Casemiro may leave when Sir Jim Ratcliffe assumes a major position. Ratcliffe is anticipated to adopt a more active posture on contracts, sales, and transfers. The player may not necessarily be sold by United, but they are allegedly open to offers during the current transfer window.

Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly actively advised Al-Nassr to seek Casemiro, according to sources from Foot Mercato. The goal of this manoeuvre is to persuade the Brazilian, who was formerly Ronaldo’s teammate at Real Madrid, to join the Saudi Pro League—a location that Casemiro has often been connected to.

But arranging a move for the five-time Champions League victor comes with its difficulties. Al-Nassr would have to negotiate with Manchester United, and if Casemiro were to sign, it would be necessary to release one of the team’s current non-domestic players due to the stringent foreign cap imposed by Saudi league rules on roster sizes.

While measures to relax these rules are being considered, it is not expected that these will be made before the next season begins. As so, a January transfer seems even less plausible given the current regulatory environment.

The intricacies of the talks that define the transfer landscape are influenced by club strategies, player preferences, and regulatory frameworks, all of which are highlighted by the dynamics of this possible trade.