Chelsea's latest interest in Casemiro offers a hint into Thomas Tuchel's tactical setup next season. The 30-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge this month amid growing doubt that the Blues will be able to secure the services of either Aurelien Tchouameni or Declan Rice.
The Brazil international, whose contract at the Santiago Bernabeu runs until June 2025, has featured 31 times for Real Madrid this season, helping the Spanish giants maintain one of La Liga's best defensive records. His impressive displays have guided Los Blancos to a third league title since his breakthrough in 2015, having joined from Sao Paulo two years earlier for a shrewd £5m.
Casemiro has been central to the vast majority of Real Madrid's success in recent years, anchoring a three-man midfield to excellent affect. And, with Tuchel keen to undergo a rebuild at Chelsea and bolster his midfield options, the Brazilian has emerged as the perfect candidate who can help the west Londoners transition into a 4-3-3.
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Casemiro has impressed so much so at the heart of Real Madrid's midfield that Gus Poyet insisted that Zinedine Zidane's success depends on the Brazilian being available. Speaking to The Independent in 2016, the former Chelsea midfielder said: "Zidane four months ago found the solution to Madrid's problems by playing Casemiro and he won the Champions League."
The Blues' urgency to invest in midfield follows the uncertain futures of Jorginho and N'Golo Kante, who are both set to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of next season once their contracts expire. However, should Todd Boehly look to acquire Casemiro's services in a swift manner, Chelsea will have to wait until after the Champions League final to learn his availability, according to the Mirror.
The report outlines that the 30-year-old wants a bumper new contract with Real Madrid. But, the Mirror adds that Los Blancos chief Florentino Perez is 'adamant' that the club cannot give him one.
As a result, it's believed that Real Madrid will welcome offers for the Brazilian this summer and they're prepared to let Casemiro go if a bid of around £42.5 million is made. Though, the report notes that the La Liga champions will 'gladly' keep the defensive midfielder if he retracts his desire for a raise.
Nonetheless, Chelsea have been credited with interest in the experienced midfielder, but face tough competition from Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus. However, according to the Mirror, Casemiro favours a move to the Premier League and would likely demand a three-year deal in west London.
Ironically, Tchouameni, who has been linked with the Blues, has been eyed as the perfect replacement for Casemiro by Carlo Ancelotti, according to Spanish outlet Marca. Therefore, Chelsea may be inclined to surrender their initial interest in the Monaco youngster for an older head - the same principle, ironically, worked out just fine when Roman Abramovich first took charge.
