Cristiano Ronaldo is keen for Al Nassr to pursue a January transfer for Manchester United midfielder Casemiro, a report has claimed.

Ronaldo has entered the final six months of his contract with Al Nassr and has been heavily tipped to return to Europe this summer, but he recently challenged his current employers to strengthen the squad and close the gap to Al Hilal and Al Ittihad at the top of the table.

According to The Telegraph, Ronaldo has indicated a desire to reunite with Casemiro, alongside whom he enjoyed several years at Real Madrid before a short-lived spell together at United in 2022.

Al Nassr have identified Casemiro as a target this month and recently made space in their squad for a new foreign player by selling Seko Fofana to French side Rennes.

United are open to selling Casemiro, who has played a limited role under new head coach Ruben Amorim. The Brazilian, who is among the club’s top earners, is thought to be valued at close to £30m.

Meanwhile, reports claim Casemiro is also keen on making the move to Saudi Arabia, having first been targeted during the summer by Al Ittihad, who are no longer expected to be in the race for his signature.

Selling Casemiro would enable United to turn to the transfer market for reinforcements this month. Amorim has already confessed the Red Devils must sell players before they can recruit new faces, with Casemiro one of a limited number of valuable assets in the squad.

Paris Saint-Germain left-back Nuno Mendes is a key target for Amorim and he could be joined at Old Trafford by teammate Randal Kolo Muani, who is available for loan.

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