Atlético de Madrid hasn't closed its transfer window despite having invested almost €150 million (about $163 million) in eight signings. Diego Pablo Simeone is looking for a final reinforcement for the midfield and has set his sights on FC Barcelona. His priority: a young, combative, intense profile with a competitive DNA, and he has two names on the table.
This isn't just a simple inquiry or a long-term operation. The red-and-white club has started talks and intends to finalize the signing before the end of August. To do so, it's willing to take advantage of Barça's internal situation, where there are too many midfielders and some are starting to have less prominence than desired.
Simeone wants him | @simeone
Flick trusts his core, but there are too many players
Barça's coach has a large roster of players for the midfield. Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Fermín López, Marc Bernal, or even Eric García have started the season with real chances of being starters. That leaves two other midfielders without a fixed spot in the starting eleven, which has already raised alarms in their circles.
The sporting management doesn't want to let go of young talent, but they're also aware that not everyone can stay. Especially when there are clubs willing to make formal offers for players who aren't in the immediate plans of the German coach.
Hansi Flick | @FCBarcelona
The Atlético coach has asked the sporting management to speed up the contacts. He believes both players fit perfectly into his system: they're the kind who run, bite, and don't back down. Two footballers trained in the La Masia academy, with great potential and who aren't being essential for Flick at the start of this season.
One of them is more established in the first team, but his role has diminished with the arrival of new signings. The other is the leader of the reserve team, has had minutes in preseason, but seems to have been overtaken by other teammates in the rotation.
Operation underway: departure near from Camp Nou
The first moves have already taken place in the Metropolitano offices. One of the deals could be closed through a straight transfer, the other with a mixed formula or even a swap. At Barça, they wouldn't mind freeing up space and salary in the midfield, as long as they keep control over the player or reserve a buy-back option.
The internal message is clear: if a reasonable offer arrives, it will be considered. The club has already made similar moves with other academy players, and this time won't be different.
Gavi with Barça | @FCBarcelona
The protagonists of this story need no introduction. The first is one of the reserve team captains, a defensive, tactical, and reliable midfielder who has stood out at Barça Atlètic. The second is the young Andalusian who has won everything with the senior team and who, after a serious injury, is fighting to regain his place at the top level.
Yes, we're talking about Marc Casadó and Gavi. One of them will leave Barça this summer. Everything indicates he'll wear red and white.
