Real Madrid News
Ancelotti confirms Casemiro’s exit from Real Madrid, Manchester United move imminent
Real Madrid have started their 2022/23 season flawlessly, winning the UEFA Super Cup against Eintracht Frankfurt, and then registering a 1-2 win over Almeria in the La Liga opener.
They face a considerably tougher challenge now, though, as they take on Celta Vigo at the Municipal de Balaidos. Speaking ahead of the game as part of his press conference, Madric coach Carlo Ancelotti dropped a bombshell about Casemiro.
The defensive midfielder has been linked with a move to Manchester United, with the Red Devils having bid over €60 million for his services.
“I have spoken with Casemiro. He wants a new challenge. We understand the decision. Negotiations are ongoing, but he has decided to leave Real Madrid,” Ancelotti said, as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.
“Yesterday, I realise that it [Casemiro to United] was a real thing. My plans won’t change.”
For the majority of the last decade, Casemiro was left without an actual replacement at defensive midfield. Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde, and other players were called upon to serve as his deputy.
Fortunately, Madrid have sorted out a long-term replacement for the Brazilian this season in Aurilien Tchouameni. Ancelotti had huge praise for the young Frenchman ahead of Casemiro’s imminent exit.
“Casemiro will not play on Saturday. Replacement? We have signed Tchouameni, and he is one of the best on the market. Then we have Kroos and Camavinga also.”
Not too long back, Ancelotti had confirmed his ideas about also possibly using Tchouameni and Casemiro together, suggesting a double pivot.
“I think they can play together. Even though they’re both pivots, they have different characteristics. They’ll surely play some games together, perhaps with a double pivot.”
Tchouameni now has a clear shot at a starting spot in Madrid’s midfield, and he must prove himself worth the hype, and the €100 million fee.
There is no way back for Eden Hazard at Real Madrid. The Belgian international has not given the management any reason to have faith in his abilities over his past four seasons at the club and is unsurprisingly the most important departure for the Merengues in the summer.
Hazard has one more year on his contract in Madrid. However, it is clear that Carlo Ancelotti does not trust him and that any potential replacement manager in the summer will echo his stance.
According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, Fenerbahce are willing to go all out to sign Hazard this summer. The Turkish side have made the former Chelsea their prime target, yet face a steep task ahead of them.
The 32-year-old is hellbent on seeing out his contract with Los Blancos despite seeing his career sink right before his eyes. It thus becomes complicated for the party to lure away the forward, especially in a competition outside Europe’s top five leagues.
Fenerbahce attempted to sign the winger in the recently concluded winter transfer market. They reached an agreement with Real Madrid but failed to get over the line as they could not convince the player of the move.
The biggest obstacle for the Turkish side will be convincing Hazard to make the move by letting go of his lucrative contract in Madrid. The chances are slim, but not impossible.
Hazard has made just three league appearances and one start for Ancelotti’s side this season in La Liga, a steep fall from last season’s 18 and seven respectively.
His last appearance for the team came back in January when Real Madrid faced Cacereno in the Copa del Rey. In La Liga however, he last played in September 2022 in a 4-1 win over Mallorca.
