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

‘One more year, Casemiro’ rang around Old Trafford once more in the wake of Manchester United’s latest Premier League win on Monday night, with the Brazilian again proving so influential in that 2-1 victory.

Indeed, the 34-year-old rose highest to nod home his ninth goal of the season to get United underway against Brentford, thus marking by far his best scoring return for the Red Devils to date.

Supporters might well be demanding an extension to his stay, considering this remarkable resurgence under the Michael Carrick regime, although it appears more of a farewell tour than a man fighting to secure a fresh deal in Manchester.

The £70m signing has already confirmed that he is set to leave, and there’s been little to suggest the situation will change heading into this summer, even if United look like a better side with him in it.

If this is to be the end, Casemiro has proven a stellar signing all told. Could the club now make another astute capture from LaLiga this summer?

Man Utd ready to make offer for £42m sensation

Prior to Casemiro’s arrival back in 2022, much of that summer window had been dominated by talk of a move for Barcelona midfielder, Frenkie de Jong, with the Dutchman previously working under Erik ten Hag at Ajax.

The two clubs are set to be in negotiations again in the present day regarding Marcus Rashford’s future, with it yet to be seen whether the Catalan giants will cough up the reported €30m (£26m) sum to keep the Englishman on board permanently.

Amid those ongoing talks, ahead of the climax of the season, there could well be a Barca star who heads in the opposition direction, following speculation regarding United’s interest in Alejandro Balde.

As reported in Spainthere is a suggestion that United would be keen to make a bid for the promising Spaniard, with the report suggesting that INEOS are ‘willing to explore the possibility of a transfer’.

The Old Trafford hierarchy are said to view the 22-year-old as a ‘market opportunity’, although they will only step up their approach if they get encouragement from the player himself.

Barcelona, for their part, are not desperate to move the defender on, 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 will about price tags and wages, but recent arrivals from LaLiga’s elite clubs in Manchester have certainly made an impact, be it Raphael Varane or Casemiro.

In Varane’s case, the Frenchman may have been hampered by injury during his stay in England, although at his best he remained a central figure in the backline, bowing out after helping steer Ten Hag’s side to FA Cup final victory in 2024.

As for Casemiro, the South American warrior has overcome a brief dip in form to emerge as a shining light again in 2026, showcasing all the class of a player who won major honours galore back in Madrid.

Balde, still only 22, might be at the other end of the spectrum in relation to his playing career, but he too could prove another wise pick-up from the Spanish top-flight.

Neither Madrid nor Barca typically let their brightest and best depart, having only sold Varane and Casemiro in their latter years, yet with Balde not front and centre this season, it could represent another chance for United to strike.

As those prior deals for the ageing duo have showcased, it’s hard to ignore the class and quality of those operating for either of the two biggest clubs in LaLiga, with there likely to be no concerns over whether the promising left-back is up to the task.

Capped seven times by Spain, the £42m-rated starlet has already made 164 appearances in all competitions at club level, after rising up from the famed La Masia academy.

Impressively too, that run in the first-team has seen him showcase his attacking flair down that left flank, having racked up 21 assists in that time.

For context, in 320 games for United, fellow left-back Luke Shaw has only chipped in with nine more assists, highlighting why Balde could represent something of an upgrade.

There have been issues with injury in 2025/26 to date, having started only 19 LaLiga games, although Balde has still registered two assists and created four ‘big chances’ in that time.

Again, for comparison, Shaw has recorded only a solitary assist and created only a solitary ‘big chance’ in the Premier League, despite starting all 34 games.

That would ensure that the Red Devils would seemingly be flying in the perfect figure to replace the long-serving Englishman, with Barcelona’s loss – as it was for Madrid regarding Varane and Casemiro – likely to prove United’s gain.