After hours of meetings, negotiations and rumours, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed this Friday that Casemiro is finalizing his departure from the club for Manchester United: “I spoke to him this morning.
He wants to try a new challenge, a new opportunity,” he said.
“It is clear that his will is to leave, and if he leaves, if they find an agreement, we have the resources to replace him.”
In what was not extended was in the footballer's arguments to change a team that has just won its 14th European Cup with him as a fundamental piece for another mired in a deep crisis that this season will play the Europa League: "They are his reasons for those who have accepted another challenge, he will have to explain it”.
Ancelotti also explained that the Brazilian's decision is very firm, and that he has not even tried to convince him: "I have only listened."
Neither he nor the Real Madrid board have hindered a desire that the footballer has transferred as very clear, according to the Italian coach: “The club understands it.
Because of what Casemiro has done at this club, because of the person that he is, we have to respect that desire that he has.”
According to the version that the technician gave in public, the operation has been brilliant, at least for him: “I listen, and I read.
Sometimes you don't pay much attention to what happens.
There were rumors of this situation, but he ignored them.
Yesterday I realized that this could happen.
Yesterday was this Thursday, when the footballer completed the work session with his teammates, just as he had done on Wednesday, the day after the first signs of Manchester United's interest in hiring him.
This Thursday, when Ancelotti says that he came to the conclusion that Casemiro would leave Real Madrid, the footballer had already accepted the conditions offered by the English team: a four-year contract with the option of a fifth, with a salary that almost doubles the five million he receives at Real Madrid after his renewal last year until 2025.
The operation is now in what is presumed to be its final stretch, with the clubs negotiating the terms of the purchase, which United is convinced that it can close at 70 million euros, 60 of them fixed and the other 10 variables depending on of various goals.
Out of the call against Celta
While that is taking place, Casemiro will be left out of the squad for Real Madrid's match against Celta this Saturday at Balaídos (22:00, DAZN), as Ancelotti explained.
The Italian coach recognized the importance of losing a player of the Brazilian's specific weight with the season already underway, but assured that he has sufficient resources in the squad to continue competing: “I'm sure we'll do well, with Casemiro and without Casemiro. ", said.
"Within the squad we have spare parts, many players who can play in that position".
To begin with, the most obvious, the 22-year-old Frenchman Aurélien Tchouameni: "He has been signed for this position, and at the moment he is one of the best midfielders on the market."
The plan was to promote a more or less calm transition from Casemiro to the Frenchman, at least during this season, but United's succulent offer to the Brazilian has gotten in the way of that perspective.
Although the coach believes that Tchouameni still lacks cooking: “He has to learn.
He has to get used to it, position himself better.
He is forceful in duels, in the aerial game, he has a good foot, good arrival.
It is clear that I am not going to tell him to play like Casemiro.
The arrival that he has to the rival area and try the shot, we have to take advantage of that ”, he said.
"He is too young.
He has to improve, but the player is ready to play for Real Madrid”.
Ancelotti insisted that he believes that to replace Casemiro he does not need a player with the same characteristics: "There is also the option of Toni Kroos, who played in that position in the second season I was here and we won 22 games in a row", he recalled .
"In my teams Pirlo has played there, he didn't have those characteristics".
But above all the technical or tactical considerations, Ancelotti's appearance was marked by the intention of transferring his respect for a player whom he greatly appreciates: "Now it's difficult to talk, because I don't know what's going to happen in the next few hours .
If he doesn't stay, the thanks to him are great because he has done it and is doing it very well”.
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