Jose Mourinho may do Ruben Amorim a big favour. (Image: GETTY)
is set to hand his former apprentice and employer a huge helping hand in the January transfer window as look to cash in on , according to reports. is hoping to complete some business this month after a difficult start to his rebuild at Old Trafford, but requires player sales.
Casemiro is among the players at the forefront of the shop window after falling out of favour with the new United head coach.
The Brazilian midfielder turns 33 next month and has been imprisoned on the bench alongside Christian Eriksen, also 32, since ‘s sacking.
While Eriksen is expected to leave as a free agent at the end of the season, Casemiro’s contract doesn’t expire until 2026.
So the former Champions League winner appears destined to be sold in the coming months – or potentially weeks.
According to , the Saudi Pro League wants Casemiro before the January transfer deadline, and the experienced midfielder’s interest is mutual.
It’s claimed that Al-Nassr are positioned as the favourites for his signature, with ex-Real Madrid and United team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo keen for a reunion in Riyadh.
Al-Nassr are currently at their maximum quota of eight foreign players over the age of 21, despite recently offloading Seko Fofana to Ligue 1 club Rennes for £16.5million.
Casemiro could leave Man Utd this month. (Image: Getty)
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However, that’s where Mourinho comes in…
The report adds that Al-Nassr are also working to offload Brazilian midfielder Anderson Talisca, and Istanbul looks like an increasingly likely destination.
Fenerbahce are claimed to be in talks to sign Talisca this month, which would unlock another Brazilian import in Casemiro to replace him.
While United’s asking price for Casemiro is unknown, the club will undoubtedly want to recoup some of the initial £60m fee they paid Real Madrid in 2022.
But offloading the No. 18’s club-high £350,000-a-week earnings from the wage bill would be more beneficial and would open the door for mid-season reinforcements.
Mourinho would be helping out Amorim – who he took under his wing at United while the latter was completing his coaching qualifications – by bringing Talisca to Fenerbahce.
And the new Red Devils boss revealed his Portuguese compatriot had sent him his well wishes after he succeeded Ten Hag in November.
“He sent me a message and told me that this is a lovely club, a big club, with lovely people – and that is correct. It still is,” Amorim explained after his arrival.
“But a lot of things change, and we are in a different building now; we are building a new one, and I am a different guy. I was learning at the time, and I hope to now teach something here, too, to my players.
“But the club is still big and is still the best club in England, and we want to win again, that is all.”