Manchester United midfielder Casemiro has reportedly rejected the opportunity to join another European giant this summer.
The 32-year-old moved to Old Trafford from Real Madrid for a reported £70m in the summer of 2022 and he impressed during his debut campaign with the Red Devils, making 53 appearances in all competitions.
However, Casemiro endured a challenging 2023-24 campaign filled with plenty of highs and lows, more of the latter with his performances in both midfield and defence criticised by fans and pundits on several occasions.
Casemiro played 32 times in a Man United side that slumped to their lowest finish in the Premier League era, ending up in eighth place, and they also crashed out in the group stage of the Champions League.
Man United did end the season on a high by winning the FA Cup, but that triumph was without Casemiro, who was left out of the matchday squad and remains the subject of much speculation ahead of the new campaign.
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Casemiro turns down Bayern Munich offer
Casemiro has recently attracted interest from Saudi Pro League duo Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal, but according to Trivela, Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich have attempted to sign the Brazil international.
The report adds that Bayern 'carried out a survey' of Casemiro and the midfielder initially welcomed the possibility of moving to the Allianz Arena, but talks between both parties failed to progress and the 'values signalled by the Germans did not entice' the midfielder to depart Old Trafford.
It is claimed that Bayern also expressed an interest in signing Casemiro at the end of the 2022-23 season when contact was made between the two parties, but a move to Bavaria ultimately failed to materialise.
Bayern, now managed by Vincent Kompany, have since stepped up their pursuit of Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha and are said to be in negotiations over a potential €45m (£38m) transfer.
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What does the future hold for Casemiro?
Trivela claims that Casemiro only intends to leave Man United if he receives a proposal that is 'advantageous' from both a financial and project-based perspective, with the Brazilian still aiming to compete for top honours at the highest level.
Such a desire would seemingly rule out a potential move to Saudi Arabia, but it remains to be seen whether any other top European clubs, aside from Bayern, would be willing to lure him away from Old Trafford.
Casemiro is believed to be Man United's highest earner, pocketing around £350,000 per week, and he still has another two years remaining on his contract, with the option of an additional 12 months.
The future of Man United's No.18 comes at a time when Erik ten Hag's side have been linked with a plethora of midfielders in recent weeks, including Benfica's Joao Neves, who has allegedly been identified as the Red Devils' number one target should Casemiro leave the club.
Oliver Thomas
