Man Utd can replace Casemiro with ‘one of the strongest’ players in Argentina for just £8.3m

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Manchester United have the chance to sign one of Argentina’s most talented midfielders this month.

The January transfer window has not sparked to life for Ineos just yet – however, we have reason to believe this could change over the coming days.

On Wednesday, reports from Brazil suggested that Casemiro was very close to a Saudi Arabia move. If this transfer came off, it is thought Manchester United could earn £25m, with a further £36m being saved in wages.

If this deal does go through, it could change Manchester United’s transfer window – with Ineos needing to sell in order to buy. The club is running a line close to PSR limits, which is likely to rule out big money additions this month even with a big departure.

So it makes complete sense that United are linked with finding bargains in order to enhance Ruben Amorim’s squad.

• READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfer deals for January 2025, ins, outs, loan moves, deadline date

How much Manchester United need to spend to sign Christian Ordonez

Amorim already has his first-choice midfield pair.

Kobbie Mainoo has found the form which helped him break out in the first place and additionally, Manuel Ugarte has become undroppable according to club legend Paul Scholes.

Therefore, a Casemiro replacement will likely be a name which is below a lot of people’s radar.

One name which has been heavily linked is Velez Sarfield’s Christian Ordonez, who is an exciting Argentine youngster. Over the past few days, links in Argentina have accelerated with United expected to submit a bid in the coming days.

With competition from Brentford and Serie A’s Bologna, United will have to pay €10m (£8.3m) which is the 20-year-old’s release clause according to Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Argentine outlet, Uno Santa Fe, have also discussed Ordonez’s value – however have listed him as being worth just €7m (£5.8m), while claiming he is ‘one of the strongest’ players right now in the country and for Velez.

Ordonez was key in Velez’s title-winning campaign

The talented midfielder was an ever-present force in the centre of the park for Velez Sarsfield last season as they went on to win the Argentinian Primera Division.

In the league, he was without a doubt one of the best midfielders and his stats tell this story.

Ordonez 2024 vs Liga Profesional midfielders

Clearly, Ordonez is a standout player in the league and at his age, things are bound to improve as he grows as a footballer – perhaps Amorim’s coaching could expedite this process.

Along with Toby Collyer and Sekou Kone, United would have a group of talented young midfielders vying for a position in the squad – perfect for Amorim to work with.