Portuguese side FC Porto are keen to sign Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro on loan for the rest of the season, according to reports.
Spanish daily AS, claimed the Brazilian could be on his way to Porto to replace Fernando, who has strongly been linked with a switch to Premier League giants Manchester City before the winter window closes tomorrow night.
Casemiro joined Real Madrid this time last season, initially on a six-month loan, and he played for Castilla – Madrid’s reserve team. Los Blancos took up the option of signing him on a permanent basis in the summer and paid Sao Paolo six million euros for his services.
But the young central midfielder has had his path to first team football blocked in recent months, despite some impressive performances earlier on in the campaign. Xabi Alonso, Asier Illarrameni, Sami Khedira and Luka Modric are all ahead of him in the pecking order at the Santiago Bernabeu, and a spell away on loan could help his development.
A number of other La Liga clubs have also expressed their interest in the player, including the likes of Malaga and Real Betis. The 21-year-old would not leave on a permanent deal though, having recently signed a contract extension tying him down to Los Blancos until 2017.
