Marc Casadó faces a summer full of uncertainty at Barcelona. After his breakthrough last season, the midfielder trained at La Masia showed he was ready to compete at the highest level, and even made his debut with the Spanish national team. However, Frenkie de Jong's recovery and Marc Bernal's return have significantly reduced his chances of playing a leading role in Hansi Flick's first team.
Although the coaching staff value his discipline and his ability to keep the defensive play going, Casadó starts as a substitute and could see his participation very limited this season. In that context, his future remains open. The Catalan club is not in a hurry to sell him, but they are aware that he is one of the most attractive assets in the summer market if a convincing offer arrives.
Atlético considers a swap deal
In recent weeks, Atlético de Madrid has taken a step forward to try to sign him. Diego Simeone believes Casadó would fit perfectly into his system because of his intensity, discipline, and work rate in midfield. Given the difficulties in meeting the more than €50 million ($54.4 million) that Barça would demand, the rojiblancos have explored alternative options.
According to reports, Atleti's sporting management proposed a player swap. The idea was to include Conor Gallagher, who hasn't fully adapted since arriving from Chelsea, as a bargaining chip to lower the cost of the deal. Simeone doesn't fully count on the English midfielder and believes Marc Casadó could be the ideal piece to balance his squad without making a major financial outlay.
Laporta and Deco prioritize a direct sale
The response from Camp Nou, however, has been clear: Joan Laporta and Deco aren't considering a swap deal for Marc Casadó.They believe his market value and sporting potential justify a sale only for a significant amount of money. In addition, Gallagher's profile doesn't fit into Hansi Flick's plans, who is committed to a more technical and associative midfield.
Barça keeps Casadó as a valuable asset, but his departure will depend on a purely financial offer that satisfies the club. Meanwhile, the academy graduate continues training while waiting for his role in the team to be defined. In the market, the feeling is that the situation could still evolve if a club decides to make a financial effort in the coming weeks.