MANCHESTER UNITED could pay Casemiro £20MILLION to leave Old Trafford in the summer, according to reports.
The former Real Madrid midfielder, joined the Red Devils in 2022 in a deal worth £70million and enjoyed an impressive first season at the club.
But he struggled at the start of the 2023/24 campaign, before he was sidelined through injury back in October.
He returned to Erik ten Hag's squad for the clash with Tottenham last weekend, but was an unused substitute as Scott McTominay was called upon ahead of him.
Now The Star understands Man Utd want to cut ties with the Brazilian in the coming months.
It comes after it was revealed last month that Man Utd are set to drastically change their protocol for contracts as Sir Jim Ratcliffe prepares to take a 25 per cent stake in the club.
This will see them become more open to terminating contracts in a bid to be a "culture-focused" outfit.
Casemiro, who earns £350,000 per week, has a deal until the summer of 2026.
Man Utd also hold the option of extending that by an additional year.
But reports are claiming Ten Hag's men will look to strike a pay-off agreement with the midfielder at the end of THIS SEASON, rather than attempting to sell him for a cut-price.
This could cost Man Utd more than £20m as they bid to pay their joint-highest earner out of his contract.
If a deal is reached with Casemiro before the summer, he could leave on a free during the second half of the campaign.
This would make it easier for rival clubs to afford the five-time Champions League winner.
Juventus and AC Milan have both been linked with moves for Casemiro.
The Saudi Pro League are also thought to be monitoring him.