Casemiro identified as middleman if Neymar joins Manchester United because ‘teammates love him’

Casemiro could be the go-between if Neymar ends up joining Manchester United, talkSPORT have been told.

Rumors of a move for the Paris Saint-Germain superstar have started to gain traction, and Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag has done little to put them to bed.

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French media giants L’Equipe first revealed that talks had taken place with Premier League clubs, including United.

And when Ten Hag was asked about the story at a press conference, he replied, “When I hear from me, I’ll let you know.”

Like many, talkSPORT’s South American football expert Tim Vickery was taken aback by the Dutchman’s statement and revealed there were rumblings in Brazil.

“What is reported here is that there is a middleman in this case, Casemiro,” Vickery said.

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“He knows Neymar very, very well from years in international duty, starting with the U20 team all those years ago.

“I think one of the points that Casemiro almost certainly makes is that the cartoon kinda belies the man, he’s not just the showpony you think he is. He’s ready to change jobs, it is striking how popular he is with all of his teammates.

“The big worry is mostly with the ankles and with the foot and you’d think the intensity of English football at 31 is where you want to spend your hard-earned money?”

Vickery then offered an alternative theory, which would involve the Qatari owners of PSG being involved in Brazil.

“There’s a rival story that maybe he could go back to Santos,” he said. “There could be a big injection of money from the same people at PSG.

“Santos is a small town, less than half a million people, but it seems increasingly difficult to compete with Pelé’s former club.

“You’re looking at tough times unless some money men come in and think the brand is so strong they can do something with it, and there are whispers that could be happening.

“In that case, Neymar could go home, but there aren’t many clubs in Europe who can afford it, and most of them are in the Premier League.”