Victor Lindelof might not be the only Manchester United player to join Jose Mourinho at Fenerbahce this summer, it has been claimed.
Sweden defender Lindelof, who joined United when Mourinho was in charge, is being eyed for a reunion. The move is said to have the blessing of Erik ten Hag, who used the centre-back sparingly last term in an injury-hit campaign.
Fener, who finished second in the Super Lig last term, are also said to have their eye on Casemiro, The Brazilian endured a difficult second season at Old Trafford and has been linked with a summer exit.
Mourinho has pushed for reunions with his former players in the past, including when he brought Nemanja Matic to Roma during his time there. While he didn't manage Casemiro at Old Trafford, he knows the Brazilian from their brief time together at Real Madrid.
Casemiro joined Madrid on an initial loan during Mourinho's final season at the Bernabeu. He made his debut under the Portuguese, though he figured more prominently under later managers.
According to Sporx, Fenerbahce sporting director Mario Branco has begun assessing whether Casemiro would cost too much for the Turkish club. The Brazil international joined United for £60m but is not expected to fetch a similar sum when he leaves.
As one of the highest earners in the Premier League, let alone at Old Trafford, a summer exit for Casemiro could help United free up funds to strengthen in other areas. There has also been reported interest from the Saudi Pro League, following similar moves for ex-United pair Cristiano Ronaldo and Alex Telles over the last 18 months.
United triggered a one-year extension in Lindelof's contract midway through the season. An exit remains a possibility, though, with his deal now running out in the summer of 2025.
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Ten Hag will need reinforcements at the back, with Raphael Varane leaving Old Trafford this summer. However, the manager is expected to have a little less of a say in transfer business despite earning the backing of the club's higher-ups to remain as manager.
Jarrad Branthwaite is among the potential centre-back additions, though the Everton man won't come cheap. An initial bid, thought to be in the region of £35m plus ad-ons, has been knocked back by the Merseyside club.
Everton are believed to value Branthwaite, who won his first England cap in June, at £70m. United want their fellow Premier League side to be more 'realistic' in their valuation, though, with a chance they move on to other targets.
United had also considered a move for Frenchman Jean-Clair Todibo, but that move appears to have been complicated by UEFA rules. Todibo is currently on the books of Nice, who are owned by United part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
“They’ve said we can sell him to another Premiership club, but we can't sell to Manchester United," Ratcliffe told Bloomberg. “But that's not fair on the player and I don’t see what that achieves.”
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