A man with the Manchester United crest in the background.

Can't stand De Jong anymore, makes his life impossible: goodbye Barça, he's leaving for United

A footballer from the squad has an offer from a very powerful club

Barça can boast of having one of the best midfields in the world. With players like Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, and Dani Olmo, the blaugrana team has managed to assemble an ideal combination. 

A player from Barcelona celebrates on the field while a referee watches in the background.
Pedri celebrating the cup goal | @FCBarcelona

This trio and the others form the core of a midfield that any team would envy. All of them are at an optimal age, with still considerable room for improvement. With this foundation, Barça is well positioned to compete in all competitions, but as often happens at major clubs, having so much talent can also create certain imbalances.

Seven players for three positions

The problem for the coaching staff is that there isn't room for everyone. Currently, Barça has seven midfielders to fill three starting positions: De Jong, Pedri, Olmo, Gavi, Fermín, Marc Bernal, and Marc Casado. The competition is fierce, and this has led to numerous transfer rumors that mainly affect the younger players.

Both Gavi and Fermín have attracted the interest of several clubs. Although Barça trusts its youth academy and doesn't intend to part with them, the overcrowding in midfield means the club doesn't rule out moves if offers arrive.

Marc Casado on United's radar

In this regard, according to the English outlet CaughtOffside, Marc Casado would also be in the market's sights. The name that's being mentioned most strongly is Manchester United.

Casado, who stands out for his ball recovery ability, tactical intelligence, and versatility, has been closely monitored by the English club's scouts. The possibility that he won't get enough playing time this season due to the excess competition at Barça could facilitate a move. From the player's camp, however, they insist that his priority remains to succeed at Barça

United wants Casemiro's successor

Manchester United's interest is no coincidence. The Red Devils are looking for a reliable replacement for Casemiro, who has already shown signs of physical wear in the last campaign. The sports management at Old Trafford sees Casado as an ideal profile to take on that role in the medium term.

Two soccer players in action during a match, one in a light green uniform and the other in a blue uniform.
Marc Casadó has lost prominence | @FCBarcelona

According to the same report, United would be willing to make a significant offer to convince both Barça and the player himself. Although the Catalan club doesn't want to part with its young prospect, market pressure and financial needs could end up leading to a sale if the proposal is attractive enough. In any case, Marc Casado's future will be one of the topics to watch closely this summer.