Manchester United could make a blockbuster move for a potential Casemiro alternative in the 2026 summer transfer window instead of January, according to stunning reports.
Casemiro is a key Manchester United first-team player for Ruben Amorim and the former Real Madrid star has continued to play a largely influential role in the squad.
Casemiro has been excellent in 2025/26 so far, here are his stats after 11 games 
Casemiro stats after 11 games – Sofascore 
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The 33-year-old Brazil international has been United manager Ruben Amorim’s main choice for the two-man midfield pivot alongside Red Devils skipper Bruno Fernandes.
Casemiro has seen a turnaround in form under the former Sporting CP head coach, but the Brazilian midfielder has struggled to see out the full 90 minutes in matches.
The ex-Los Blancos ace has started nine out of 10 Premier League fixtures in the 2025-26 season and has only finished one 90-minute encounter so far.
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty ImagesMan Utd identify Nottingham Forest star Elliot Anderson as a midfield replacement for Casemiro
Casemiro is out of contract at the end of the 2025-26 campaign and the Manchester United star is unlikely to receive a new deal from the Premier League club.
The former Real Madrid player is also free to speak with clubs outside of England in January and could sign a pre-contract agreement ahead of his Old Trafford exit.
According to The Times, United are ‘monitoring the progress’ of Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson and could plot a stunning summer transfer in 2026.
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Elliot Anderson has been linked with United in recent weeks and the 23-year-old Nottingham Forest star has been identified as a potential replacement for Casemiro.
However, the newspaper reports that the Red Devils would be ‘unlikely’ to sign Anderson in January and Forest would ‘not entertain an offer’ for him either.
Anderson is under contract with Nottingham Forest until 2029 and the England international has continued to attract interest from clubs in the Premier League.
Casemiro’s future beyond Old Trafford and the growing interest in Man Utd target Elliot Anderson
Newcastle are linked with their ex-midfielder and Liverpool and Arsenal are believed to be interested, while United have viewed Anderson as a long-term prospect.
However, Forest are expected to play hardball over any negotiations for their prized asset and the Premier League side have slapped a hefty £100m price tag on him.
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Casemiro’s contract with United does include the option to trigger an extension, but the Red Devils are unlikely to act on it before his contract expires in June 2026.
The Times reports that the key factors behind United’s decision on Casemiro’s future are the Brazil midfielder turning 34 in February and his hefty wages at the club.
Casemiro has been heavily linked with a move to Saudi Arabia in the past and the news outlet added that clubs are prepared to ‘offer him a more lucrative deal.’