Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has expressed some doubts surrounding the move of Real Madrid star Casemiro to his former club.
On August 19, Manchester United announced they had reached an agreement to sign the 30-year-old from Real Madrid for a whopping €60 million. Casemiro will earn £350,000 a week, and remain at the club for the next four years when the deal is fully finalised.
Throughout his time in Spain, the Brazilian has proven himself as one of the greatest midfielders on the planet. Having become renowned for his physicality, Casemiro never shies away from a tackle and always puts his all into every game. He made a massive impact at the Bernabeu, winning three La Liga titles and five Champions League trophies.
But despite his obvious calibre, a Manchester United legend remains unsure of the benefit he’ll have on the team.
Rio Ferdinand expresses some doubts over Casemiro transfer
“Is he overpriced? Yes.” Ferdinand told FIVE.
“Are there negatives? Yes, there are. Obviously the age, 30 years old. I wouldn’t say that’s a massive negative. But I think, if you’re talking from a business standpoint, there’s going to be zero resale value.”
He continued: “So it’s £60m, plus £10m add-ons. Then, obviously, you bounce on top of that the wages. So you’re probably looking somewhere near £100m. If you get change out of that, you will be lucky.
“In a time when we don’t have the finances, it doesn’t seem we can bring big players. We have put it all into him. So he needs to work.
“To come from Spain, for Casemiro, into a team that is absolutely bereft of any confidence, is absolutely struggling in all areas, tactically especially, physically, mentally, I think it’s going to be a huge ask for a 30-year-old to come in, recharge, reboot and go again.”
However, Ferdinand did give plenty of positives to the move.
He added: “First and foremost, the guy’s a real winner. He knows how to win, he’s been integral in everything positive about Real Madrid in recent years.
“[He has been] one of the main guys alongside the likes of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Karim Benzema. Cristiano [Ronaldo] before that.
“When the big games come along, this guy performs. He knows what he’s doing, he’s there.
“There’s no thrills with him. He isn’t a stepover merchant. He isn’t a skills man, he isn’t someone who wants to get the fans off their seats with a bit of skill.
“He’s there to do a job that means that the team are better off, they run more efficiently, they’re going to have a chance of winning because he’s in the team.
“He’s, first and foremost, a team football player, which I love about him. If there’s a battle, he’s a man you want on your side.”
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