Casemiro: PSG keen to sign Real Madrid defensive midfielder
Paris Saint-Germain are thought to be ready to make a big offer for the Real Madrid anchorman, whose current release clause is 200m euros.
Casemiro has become a cornerstone of the Real Madrid team, and his displays for Los Blancos have certainly not gone unnoticed among other major European clubs. Having attracted interest from Manchester United in recent months, the defensive midfielder is now thought to be a target for Paris Saint-Germain.
With PSG looking for a top-quality replacement for veteran anchorman Thiago Motta and neither Giovani Lo Celso nor Marco Verratti fully convincing in the holding role, the newly crowned French champions are believed to be prepared to dig very deep to secure the Brazilian international's services.
PSG sporting director a big fan of Casemiro
Furthermore, the Parisian giants' sporting director, Antero Henrique, is a firm admirer, having already worked with Casemiro during his season-long spell at FC Porto in 2014/15. It was Henrique, then in charge of transfers at the Estádio do Dragao, who was responsible for taking the player to Portugal, where his impressive performances earned him a 7.5m-euro move back to Real.
PSG's interest in Casemiro comes at a time when the 26-year-old is awaiting contract-renewal talks on a Real Madrid deal last extended until 2021 in 2015. A few months ago, Los Merengues said that he would shortly be the latest in a host of first-team regulars to negotiate improved terms.
Casemiro could be included in a potential Neymar deal
Casemiro's release clause is currently 200m euros. While PSG would not be expected to reach such a figure, it is thought they would be ready to get close to it in a bid to persuade Real Madrid to sell. Meanwhile, AS sources suggest the Ligue 1 club could seek to include him in any potential Real swoop for Neymar this summer.
