INEOS scout Man Utd bid to sign Casemiro next for £42m

‘Another year, Casemiro’ was echoed at Old Trafford after Manchester United’s latest Premier League win on Monday night, with the Brazilian again proving influential in that 2-1 victory.

Indeed, the 34-year-old rose to the occasion to score his ninth goal of the season to keep United going against Brentford, marking his best return of goals for the Red Devils to date.

Supporters are likely to want an extension to his stay, given this remarkable resurgence under Michael Carrick, although it appears to be more of a farewell tour than someone fighting for a new deal in Manchester.

The £70m signing has already confirmed he is on the way, and there has been little to suggest the situation will change this summer, even if United look the better team with him in it.

If this is to be the end, Casemiro has proved a stellar signing all told. Can the club now capture another LaLiga title this summer?

Man Utd are ready to hand over £42m

Before Casemiro’s arrival in 2022, much of that summer window was dominated by talk of a move for Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, the Dutchman who worked under Erik ten Hag at Ajax.

The two clubs will also be in talks today over Marcus Rashford’s future, with it yet to be seen whether the Catalan giants will pay the reported €30m (£26m) fee to keep the Englishman permanently.

Amidst those ongoing talks, ahead of the season’s climax, could be the Barca star heading to the opposition, following speculation about United’s interest in Alejandro Balde.

As reported in Spain, there are suggestions that United will be interested in making a bid for the promising Spaniard, with the report suggesting that INEOS are ‘willing to explore the possibility of a transfer’.

Old Trafford officials are said to view the 22-year-old as a ‘market opportunity’, although they will only make a move if they receive encouragement from the player himself.

Barcelona, ​​meanwhile, have no desire to make a move for the defender, although there is a sense that a fee of around €50m (£42m) would be too good to turn down.

Why Balde could be another Casemire-style signing at Man Utd

Say what you want about price tags and wages, but recent arrivals from LaLiga’s top clubs in Manchester have had an impact, be it Raphael Varane or Casemiro.

In Varane’s case, the Frenchman may have been hampered by injuries during his time in England, although he remained at center back, bowing out after helping Ten Hag’s side win the FA Cup in 2024.

As for Casemiro, the South American hero overcame a short dip to re-emerge as a bright light again in 2026, showing all the class of a player who won major awards back in Madrid.

Balde, who is still only 22, may be at the other end of the spectrum in terms of his playing career, but he too could prove another wise choice in Spain’s top flight.

Madrid and Barca don’t often leave, they only sold Varane and Casemiro in their final years, however Balde is not at the front this season, it could represent another opportunity for United to score.

Having shown those previous deals for the aging duo, it is difficult to ignore the class and quality of those who work for one of LaLiga’s two biggest clubs, and there may be concerns about whether a promising defender is up to the task.

Capped seven times by Spain, the £42m international has already made 164 appearances in all competitions at club level, having graduated from the prestigious La Masia academy.

What’s also surprising, is that the run in the first team allowed him to show off his attack down the left side, racking up 21 assists in that time.

For context, in 320 games for United, left-back Luke Shaw has chipped in with just nine more assists, highlighting why Balde represents something of an improvement.

There have been injury problems in 2025/26 so far, with him starting just 19 LaLiga games, although Balde still registered two assists and created four ‘big chances’ in that time.

And, in comparison, Shaw only recorded one assist and created only one ‘big chance’ in the Premier League, despite starting all 34 games.

That would ensure the Red Devils would appear to be flying in the right price to replace the long-serving Englishman, with Barcelona’s defeat – as happened to Madrid with Varane and Casemiro – likely to prove United’s advantage.