Casemiro set to stop Man Utd from making blockbuster January signing as details emerge

Manchester United star Casemiro is set to inadvertently block the club from landing Frenkie de Jong in January, Gianluca Di Marzio believes. The Red Devils recruited the Brazil international from Real Madrid back in the summer, paying a huge £70million to get a deal done. However, their interest in his former La Liga rival remains strong – with Erik ten Hag refusing to throw in the towel…

Manchester United spent the bulk of the summer transfer window chasing De Jong, believing a deal with Barcelona could be struck.

But while they agreed on an overall fee worth £70million for the Netherlands international, the player himself never wanted to leave the Nou Camp for Old Trafford.

United remain hopeful they can sign De Jong in the future, however, with Ten Hag driving interest behind the scenes.

Yet Di Marzio thinks Casemiro will, albeit inadvertently, prevent a deal from being struck when the transfer window reopens in January.

Speaking to WettFreunenet, he said: “After they brought Casemiro I don’t think that can happen in January because they spent a lot of money on Casemiro and the players are similar.

“I think it’s unlikely they can spend another £70m or £100m on De Jong, so I don’t think that can happen in January.”

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And Di Marzio thinks there’s a chance the former Juventus and Real Madrid star will be on the move, though does also think the veteran is currently focused on the World Cup and any January transfer exit will be tricky to broker.

“I think Jorge Mendes will of course try,” he said.

“He didn’t manage to find a solution in the summer. It depends on how the relationship with Erik ten Hag and Manchester United will develop over the next few months. It got better.

“It’s difficult for him to switch in January because he’s not the type of player to switch in January.

“But even in this case it will be important how the World Cup goes. Ronaldo is focused on the World Cup so we’ll see how he will do at the World Cup and also what kind of team can afford his salary because it’s a problematic salary.

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“Even in Italy, when Napoli and AC Milan were considering Ronaldo, Jorge Mendes called them because they didn’t have the right salary.

“No Italian team, no Serie A team will pay his salary. Manchester United won’t pay 75 or 80 per cent of his salary, so should they pay 75 per cent? Will they keep him?

“That depends on a lot of things, but I don’t think he’s the kind of player who can switch in January.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is not a player who will leave his side mid-season, but it’s too early to tell now because it depends on how things go at Manchester United and the World Cup.”

And Di Marzio thinks United, as well as Liverpool, are best-placed to sign Jude Bellingham in the future.

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The Borussia Dortmund star is expected to leave the Westfalenstadion at the end of the campaign, having flourished there since his move from Birmingham in 2020.

Di Marzio added: “Liverpool would be the best option for Jude Bellingham.

“They need a refresher squad and new top players and Bellingham is absolutely perfect for Jurgen Klopp and the way Liverpool play.

“He definitely has the talent to be a star at the LFC and they will try to get him.

Manchester United would also be a possibility but I think those two clubs will be the ones trying to sign Jude Bellingham.”

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