Barcelona faces decisive days that will determine the final configuration of its squad for this season. Joan Laporta and Deco are working against the clock to balance the wage cap and finalize pending registrations. However, the delicate financial situation is raising doubts about the future of some players who came up through La Masia.
The blaugrana club has already seen several academy graduates attract interest in Europe in recent weeks. Both England and Spain are closely watching the development of young players with great potential in the first team. Chelsea itself inquired about Fermín López, while Betis and Girona considered options in more secondary positions.
Now, an unexpected protagonist is added to all that context, once again appearing in the transfer market spotlight. This is a footballer who represents the link between the academy and the first team, but whose continuity is not guaranteed. Amid those doubts, Atlético de Madrid appears, which has already approached several Barça talents in previous summers.
Flick, surprised by the moves
Hansi Flick has made it clear since his arrival that he trusts youth as the foundation of his project. The German has been delighted with the emergence of players like Pau Cubarsí, Lamine Yamal, or Marc Bernal. However, he has also asked the board for a balance between giving opportunities and keeping economic stability.
For that reason, the coach did not expect the market to once again put another academy graduate in the spotlight. Flick believes the squad should stay united and that losing young players would be a mistake. However, he is aware that the financial reality may influence any decision made in Camp Nou offices.
From the locker room, the surprise is also significant. Some footballers have commented privately that they do not understand why homegrown players are always questioned. The general feeling is that, despite the effort to keep a competitive core, the economy ultimately sets the pace of the project.
Economic pressure mounts
The sporting management knows they need immediate income to be able to register all pending players. Roony Bardghji, Gerard Martín, or Szczęsny himself are still waiting for the green light to officially debut with Barça. The only way to achieve this is by freeing up space in the wage bill.
The transfer of academy graduates then appears as the most direct way to create room without sacrificing established starters. In that scenario, some players who do not have a fixed role in the starting eleven become a top priority. Atlético de Madrid, alert to any opening, has decided to launch an offensive for one of them.
At the Metropolitano, they believe the operation could be strategic: strengthening with Barça talent and weakening a direct rival. Simeone himself, who has previously requested Joao Félix and other attacking profiles, is now looking with interest at the midfield. He doesn't hesitate to persist despite the negotiation difficulties with the blaugrana club.
The player in the spotlight
The protagonist of this story is Marc Casadó, a 21-year-old midfielder who has spent his entire life at La Masia. His progression has always been valued within the club, but the current competition in midfield complicates his chances. Gavi, Pedri, De Jong, and Bernal have relegated him to a much more secondary role.
The player, meanwhile, has already expressed his desire to stay and succeed wearing the Barça jersey. However, he understands that his immediate future will depend on the decisions made by the board and coaching staff. Meanwhile, Atlético de Madrid has renewed its efforts and is pushing to try to close the deal.
The only certainty is that the week will be decisive, Barça doesn't rule out listening to offers, as long as they exceed €30 million. Although Flick insists on keeping him, the economy rules. Casadó's future, one of the academy's brightest prospects, is once again hanging in the air.
