Casemiro has decided to leave Manchester United for free next year to pursue opportunities in Saudi Arabia! The reason behind staying this summer has been revealed.

Italian transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano reports that the 33-year-old Manchester United midfielder Casemiro is likely to depart the club on a free transfer next summer, as some Saudi Arabian league teams have expressed interest, particularly if they can acquire him for free.

English media rumors say that this summer Casemiro declined an offer from Saudi Arabia, including from Riyadh Victory, where former Real Madrid teammate Cristiano Ronaldo plays. This Saudi giant contacted his agent and was ready to offer a lucrative contract. However, Casemiro rejected the opportunity, determined to stay at Old Trafford.

Casemiro’s contract expires next summer, and it’s believed he will definitely leave unless Manchester United activates his £350,000 weekly wage contract’s one-season extension option. However, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is highly unlikely to do so, as even before acquiring the club, he criticized this signing as a waste of money.

Romano said: “Keep an eye on Casemiro’s situation in 2026. This summer, Casemiro was never truly close to leaving Manchester United. Around May, they received some calls from Saudi Arabia but never a formal offer. We also saw rumors about Al-Ittihad, but as far as I know, Al-Ittihad never made a bid in July or August. But by 2026, I think there’s a real possibility Casemiro might leave Manchester United; this could be his last season playing top-level European football.”

He added: “Maybe starting from 2026, Casemiro will try something new. This isn’t finalized or guaranteed yet, but from what I hear within the industry, there’s a view that Casemiro might choose a different path after 2026.”

Casemiro aims to represent Brazil in the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, and this goal reportedly largely influenced his decision to forgo leaving Manchester United during the summer transfer window. Leaving now would mean moving only to Saudi Arabia, and once he goes to West Asia for money, it would effectively end his national team career, as Ancelotti would certainly not pick him.

Although the transfer windows in Saudi Arabia and Turkey are still open, Casemiro has confirmed he will definitely continue playing for Manchester United this season. "I am very happy here, and my family is happy too. Every day at Carrington and Old Trafford is enjoyable. Even if there’s criticism outside, it doesn’t bother me; I just want to focus on winning matches.”

Brazil’s "Goal" website states that Casemiro believes staying at Manchester United gives him the best chance to be selected for Brazil, as Amorin lacks midfield options and the Red Devils still attract massive attention. This season, “Big Tiger” secured a starting spot early on and was included in Ancelotti’s squad, representing Brazil against Chile and Bolivia. Since Ancelotti had a good working relationship with Casemiro at Real Madrid, as long as he stays in form, playing in the World Cup is almost certain.

After the World Cup next summer, when Casemiro’s contract at Old Trafford expires, he will surely reconsider transferring to Saudi Arabia. By then, he will be 34 years old, and it will be time to secure his final lucrative contract to earn money for retirement.

Casemiro was involved in controversy during Brazil’s 3-0 win over Chile, stepping on the ankle of the already downed Chilean midfielder Felipe Loyola with clear force. Interestingly, the referee and VAR judged it not to be a red card offense and only showed Casemiro a yellow card. This is Casemiro’s third yellow card in these qualifiers, causing him to miss Brazil’s next match against Bolivia.

Data shows that since joining Manchester United, Casemiro’s rate of receiving red and yellow cards has increased significantly; he was sent off twice in his first Premier League season. At Manchester United, he has been red-carded three times, surpassing the total number of dismissals during his entire Real Madrid career, despite playing nearly three times more games for Real Madrid. Casemiro seemed upset in this match, as one of his goals was disallowed for offside, and he also angrily confronted Chelsea youngster Estevao.