“Casemiro wants a new challenge and we understand his feeling, I do not think there is a way back,” Ancelotti told a news conference today.

“I have spoken with him. Casemiro, for what he has done and the person he is, we must respect that desire. The negotiations are ongoing right now, it is not official yet, he is still our player but his will is to leave.”

Reuters understands that the 30-year-old midfielder is to sign a four to five year deal at United with wages of around €16 million per year.

United’s first offer to Real Madrid for the Brazilian was around €70 million, British media reports said.