‘Positive talks’, ‘big offer planned’: Romano drops late-night Man Utd midfielder update with three targets addressed | OneFootball

While Manchester United were seeing out a vital win over Brentford, Fabrizio Romano provided fans with an update on their midfielder search.

In fact, the game only emphasised just how imperative it is that INEOS get this summer window right, as Casemiro was integral to the victory.

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How Casemiro fared vs the Bees on Monday

Not only did the Brazilian veteran score the opener, which marked his ninth goal of the term in a career-best goalscoring campaign, but he also made a whopping seven final-third passes, had two touches in the opposition’s box and dispatched one accurate long ball.

Defensively, he made 11 tackles, nine clearances, five headed clearances, two interceptions, two recoveries and one block. He won 13 of his 14 ground duels attempted and three of his four aerial duels attempted.

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Unsurprisingly, he earned the highest rating of any player on the pitch on Fotmob and took home the official Premier League Man of the Match award.

Replacing such a seasoned professional like Casemiro is nothing short of a mammoth task for United – one that could well take more than one signing in order to not really struggle in his absence next season.

Kobbie Mainoo oversaw yet another scintillating display in the middle of the park, and could well have taken home the Player of the Match award himself, but he is still incredibly young (21) in comparison to his counterparts across Europe, and has greatly benefitted from developing alongside the five-time Champions League winner.

Romano sheds light on potential Casemiro successors

Supporters are well aware that three names being intensely scouted by INEOS in the lead-up to the summer are Carlos Baleba, Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali.

Romano revealed on the ‘Here we Go’ podcast (as cited by UtdXclusive) that Manchester City have been holding ‘positive contract talks’ with Anderson and have a ‘big offer planned’. However, United won’t give up without a fight and are prepared to go head-to-head with their arch-rivals.

Tonali remains a firm option on the shortlist, though he is poised to be one of the most expensive, which may deter the board as they look to avoid ‘crazy spending’.

Baleba already has a full agreement on personal terms in place with the Reds, and he is still ‘very keen’ on making the switch after Brighton and Hove Albion blocked his move last year.

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