Real Madrid are still waiting for Casemiro to make a decision on his future after Manchester United approached him earlier this week.
Casemiro has so far been silent on the possibility of a switch to the Premier League.
It’s understood the prospect of signing a five-year contract aged 30, something previous treatment of Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo shows him will not happen at Real Madrid, is highly attractive despite any move to Old Trafford meaning he forsakes Champions League football.
Casemiro has a contract until 2025 and that is likely to be his last at the club, save for the year-on-year renewals that Madrid offers players over 30, and that Luka Modric is currently accepting.
United’s potential five-year offer would give him security up until 2027 and offset the step down in terms of current trophy-winning potential.
Casemiro has played his entire European career at Madrid save for a brief spell on loan at Porto.
The midfielder has won five Champions Leagues with the club across over 300 appearances.
He has had his head turned by an adventure elsewhere before and would have considered a move to Paris had Zinedine Zidane taken the PSG job.
Madrid are reportedly considering replacements for Casemiro, in the event that he accepts signing for United.
Despite having signed 22-year-old Aurelien Tchouameni in the summer the club, according to Diario AS, have made Bruno Guimarães there number one option.
Newcastle’s Brazilian international is on a short list of names that also includes Betis midfielder Guido Rodriguez.
Betis need to sell because they are currently over their permitted squad spend and unable to register new signings Willian Jose, Luiz Henrique and Luiz Felipe.
If Casemiro tells Madrid he wants to leave United will have to satisfy Madrid’s demands.
The Spanish champions have a record of selling, or not renewing, club legends before they become impossible to move on or walk away for free.
It was notable on Tuesday, when the story broke in Spain, that the club briefed only that they had received no offer; there was no message that they would not be willing to sell.
Casemiro cost only 6m when Madrid signed him nine years ago and he has a 1billion euro release clause.
Madrid would be looking for a fee of around 65million pounds, the amount United were offering Barcelona for Frenkie de Jong.
He is a noticeably different player to the Dutch midfielder who has been a long time target of ten Hag.
Casemiro is an aggressive and hard-working midfielder with a knack for strong tackles, but he lacks the Dutchman's playmaker qualities.
Adding physicality will be a plus for United after they were bullied in their 4-0 loss to Brentford on Saturday night.
Ten Hag received criticism after the game for starting such a small team in West London, with the selection of 5ft 9in centre back Lisandro Martinez proving especially unpopular.
Red Devils fans will be hoping for a much improved performance when they take on Liverpool at Old Trafford on Monday.