Neymar has been linked to a surprising summer transfer to Manchester United, and he has already praised the club’s midfielder Casemiro, his Brazilian teammate, calling him the “best in the world.” Casemiro joined United in a £70 million deal last summer, ending a successful nine-year career at Real Madrid, where he won five Champions League titles as part of a formidable midfield trio with Toni Kross and Luka Modric.

The Brazilian’s arrival has helped transform Erik ten Hag’s team this season, adding balance, control, and structure to a team that desperately needed such attributes. Casemiro is likely to be a contender for the Player of the Year award in the Premier League.

Casemiro has been a catalyst in United’s upturn in form this season, ending their six-year drought without a major trophy as they won the EFL Cup earlier this season. They are also into the FA Cup semi-finals, the last eight of the Europa League, and in the top four of the Premier League.

During the World Cup, Casemiro played a key role for his nation in a group stage victory over Switzerland as he struck late on to secure a difficult but deserved win for Tite’s team. That win was achieved without Neymar, who was ruled out through injury.

After his country’s victory, the star of Paris Saint-Germain took to Twitter to pay tribute to his international teammate, Casemiro, saying that he has been the best midfielder in the world for a long time.

Rumors are circulating that Neymar may be transferring to Manchester United in the summer, with the Sun claiming that a deal is possible if Qatari bidders are successful in their takeover of the club. Mirror Football exclusively reported that Neymar could leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer after six seasons at the club.

There are several offers to buy the club, including one from a group led by Qatari banker Sheikh Jassem bin Hamad Al Thani. The report claims that he intends to make Neymar his marquee signing of the summer, should his bid for the club be successful.

Sheikh Jassem, the chairman of Qatar Islamic Bank, is the son of a former Qatari prime minister and has previously claimed that this bid is a private initiative that is not connected to the Qatari state and is instead through his Nine Two Foundation. If his bid is accepted, that claim would be examined through setting processes including the Premier League’s Owners and Directors test.

He faces the strongest competition for a takeover from INEOS owner Sir Jim Radcliffe, who is open to purchasing a majority share while keeping the Glazers on at the club.