Barcelona has completed a strategic move for the future. The blaugrana team has secured the services of Kevin Castaño, Colombian midfielder from River Plate. The young Colombian talent, 23 years old, has said "no" to a formal offer from Paris Saint-Germain under Luis Enrique Martínez to fulfill his dream: to wear Barça's jersey.
Castaño has earned the admiration of several European clubs; his physical prowess, skill with the ball, and ability to break lines have made him a reality. Within Barça, they see him as a strategic signing, with a projection similar to what Rodrigo De Paul once had. The Argentine player who this summer is ending his time at Atlético de Madrid and is moving to Miami with Messi.
Rodrigo De Paul will become a new Inter Miami footballer, where he will share the locker room with former Barça teammates: Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets. Meanwhile, in Barcelona, they are betting on a similar profile, though with a Colombian touch. Kevin Castaño arrives to compete, grow, and, if everything goes well, become one of the engines of the blaugrana midfield.
Castaño toward Barcelona
The signing will become effective in the summer, when Castaño heads to Europe to join the discipline of the blaugrana first team. He will join preseason under Hansi Flick's orders and will have to fight for a spot in the squad; it won't be easy for him. He will face big names like Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, as well as promising talents making a strong impression: Marc Bernal and Marc Casadó.
From Barça's sporting management, they believe the Colombian has the potential to contribute from day one. His profile fits the new style Flick wants to impose: high pressing, intensity, and versatility. Castaño can play as a defensive pivot or an interior midfielder, with box-to-box range, which gives him an edge over other candidates.
Flick's desire
Barça didn't want to miss the chance to get ahead of giants like PSG or Juventus. The French team offered him a much higher contract financially, but the midfielder prioritized his professional development. According to sources close to him, the player was clear that his dream was to play at Camp Nou.
With the deal already closed, the signing will become official in the coming days, once he passes his medical exams. The transfer fee is around €6 million (6 millones de euros) fixed plus add-ons, a figure considered manageable by the blaugrana club given the context of Financial Fair Play.
In Colombia, people compare him to players like Carlos Sánchez or Jefferson Lerma, although Castaño has a more technical touch and offensive vision. Barça believes he can develop into a key piece in the new sporting project. A new South American talent lands at Camp Nou, Kevin Castaño is already a blaugrana, and in Barcelona, people dream of his arrival.