Guimaraes embraces Casemiro heir tag as £69m Man Utd link looms over World Cup

Bruno Guimaraes has described it as a privilege to be touted as Casemiro’s successor at both club and international level, with Manchester United reportedly preparing a £69 million move for the Newcastle captain ahead of Brazil’s World Cup 2026 opener against Morocco on Saturday.

“It’s certainly a privilege to hear those words from someone as successful as Casemiro,” Guimaraes told AS. “Honestly, I’m not thinking about that right now. My focus is entirely on this World Cup. It was a dream for me to be in good shape for a World Cup and my aim is to help Brazil win this title. I’m always ready to help.”

The 28-year-old is widely expected to inherit Casemiro’s defensive midfield role for the Selecao once the veteran’s international career winds down, with this summer’s tournament in North America likely to represent Casemiro’s final World Cup. Both players are in contention to start against Morocco.

At club level, Casemiro’s departure from Old Trafford this summer has left United searching for a like-for-like replacement, and Guimaraes fits the profile. United reportedly declined to enter a bidding war for Elliot Anderson, valued at £120 million, suggesting the Newcastle man’s reported £69m price tag falls within their financial parameters.

Casemiro himself has been vocal in his admiration for his compatriot. “Bruno Guimaraes is a player who has been doing an exceptional job at Newcastle,” the five-time Champions League winner said back in October 2023. “With every practice and every game, I am more comfortable with him. He is a great player. He has been demonstrating this in the most difficult league in the world.”

Guimaraes is not the only name on United’s midfield shortlist. West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes and Bournemouth’s Alex Scott are also said to be under consideration, while a £39 million deal for Atalanta’s Ederson is reportedly close to being finalised. Newcastle teammate Sandro Tonali has also been linked with a move to Old Trafford, though reported interest from Arsenal could complicate any pursuit of the Italian.