At Barça, they keep sending the message that it won't be necessary to make a painful sale this summer in order to register the new signings. Joan García and Marcus Rashford are the two star reinforcements of the summer transfer window and, according to the board, registering them won't be a problem.
Deco and the board assure that the financial planning is under control and that the club has done the necessary work to register. The message is optimistic and aims to convey calm both to the squad and the fans.
Iñigo Martínez's departure, a painful sale
However, reality shows a different nuance. Iñigo Martínez, starting center-back alongside Pau Cubarsí, has set course for Saudi Arabia. His departure, even if it's presented as a personal decision, fits perfectly into the category of a painful sale.
The defender's departure not only leaves a gap in the backline, but also forces Flick to rethink his defensive setup. Without a reliable left-footed center-back in the squad, the German coach will have to look for solutions or wait for a reinforcement in the market.
Doubts in the midfield
Iñigo's loss opens a debate and the club could accept offers for other positions. In midfield, for example, Barça currently has seven footballers for three spots: De Jong, Pedri, Gavi, Fermín, Olmo, Bernal, and Marc Casado. An overbooking that makes it difficult to distribute minutes and could push them to listen to proposals.
Players like Fermín, who's coming off an outstanding season, or Marc Casado, who's grown a lot in recent months, are attracting the interest of several European clubs. The sporting management is assessing the situation, since any departure would have to balance sporting and financial needs.
Bayer Leverkusen push for Casado
According to El Nacional, Bayer Leverkusen are especially interested in Marc Casado. The German team would be willing to make an offer close to €35 million for the Catalan midfielder.
At Barça, the proposal raises doubts. On one hand, €35 million would represent a significant financial injection that could be used to strengthen other priority positions, such as defense. On the other hand, Casado is a product of La Masia with room to grow and fits Flick's philosophy.