Casemiro received an expletive Whatsapp message from the partner of his Real Madrid teammate Fede Valverde, pleading with him not to join Manchester United.
The Brazilian international’s move to Old Trafford was confirmed on Friday evening as United paid an initial fee of £60million plus a further £10m in potential add-ons. United had made a deal for the Madrid star their prime focus after their move for Adrien Rabiot of Juventus broke down while Frenkie de Jong is still a Barcelona player.
Casemiro has become the fourth signing of the summer at United under new boss Erik ten Hag and they are hopeful the signing of the Brazilian will spark a late influx of arrivals. Defenders Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia joined from Ajax and Feyenoord respectively, while Christian Eriksen arrived as a free agent after his Brentford contract expired.
Casemiro, 30, received an expletive message from Mina Bonino, the partner of Real Madrid midfielder Valverde. Bonino sent a screenshot of the Whatsapp message she sent to the Brazilian on Friday, which turned out to be in vain – as the player already had his heart set on a switch to Old Trafford.
Bonino wrote, in a message to Casemiro: that was firmly tongue-in-cheek but also reflected the frustration of the Spanish club of their star asset departing: “Gil de mierda! No te vayas” (which translates into English as “don’t go, you s*** a*****e”).
Casemiro had won three La Liga titles and five Champions League crowns across a glorious stint in the Spanish capital, forming a formidable midfield trio alongside Luka Modric and Toni Kroos. The emergence of Valverde, coupled with the signings of Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni – who is viewed as Casemiro’s long-term replacement – had ramped up the competition for places.
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United are hopeful of at least two more additions in the closing weeks of the summer transfer window. A £67million offer has been lodged for Ajax forward Antony, although this has been knocked back by the Dutch giants. PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo is an attacking alternative.
The club are also hopeful of signing a new goalkeeper to provide competition to the out-of-form David De Gea while they are also hopeful of adding a new right-back, although that is tied into the future of Aaron Wan-Bissaka – who may complete a return to Crystal Palace this summer.
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