The transfer market hasn't ended for Atlético de Madrid after completing eight signings this summer. Diego Pablo Simeone, obsessed with strengthening its midfield with young talent, is still targeting a goal that seemed impossible: to fish at Barça.
It's not a trial operation or just a simple interest. It's something very real.
Alex Baena, David Hancko, Johny Cardoso, Thiago Almada, Matteo Ruggeri, Marc Pubill, Juan Musso, and Clement Lenglet have joined Atlético this summer. €149 million in total. But the squad isn't complete; the finishing touch in midfield is missing.
For weeks, Gavi's name has appeared in the offices at the Metropolitano. The Andalusian is highly regarded by the Argentine coach, who considers him an ideal fit for his system.
Aggressive, with physical deployment, intense, and with character. Everything he asks of his midfielders.
But the situation isn't simple. Not for the player, nor for Barça.
Barça keeps silent about Gavi
Gavi is on the market and the offers keep coming. From the Premier League and now from Spain. Atlético has inquired about him, aware that his situation is delicate.
Moreover, Gavi has a hard time, if not an impossible one, becoming a starter in Flick's team. There's an excess of midfielders: Pedri, Frenkie De Jong, Fermín, Casadó, Bernal, Eric García, and Dani Olmo...
Barça hasn't publicly ruled him out, but it hasn't issued a firm statement either. That at Can Barça is always a bad sign. However, Simeone has another card up his sleeve.
Marc Casadó, the alternative gaining strength
If the Gavi option becomes complicated, the "Plan B" has a name: Marc Casadó. The Barça Atlètic midfielder has been closely followed by Atleti. There are even open talks for a possible swap deal, which Deco doesn't consider.
Casadó, who was the reserve team captain, finds it difficult to establish himself in the first team. Flick has evaluated him, but doesn't consider him a priority. In addition, Marc Bernal is back, and Flick trusted him from the start last season until he got injured.
Deco doesn't oppose a departure if an interesting offer arrives. He sees it as a market opportunity.
But in this case, Barça isn't going to give anything away to Atlético, as has happened in recent years. If they want something, they'll have to pay for it.
Only one will arrive at the Metropolitano
At the Metropolitano, they're clear about it. Simeone only wants one of the two, because he believes they're duplicate cards. He likes both because they're warriors, the type of footballer he values most.
Gavi is the preferred option, but more complicated. Casadó is the realistic and more affordable plan. In any case, the red-and-white club wants to close the signing before the end of the summer.
Barça, meanwhile, sees it as a possibility to lighten the squad and, if the case arises, strengthen the club financially.
Laporta won't put up obstacles if a formal offer arrives. It has already happened with other players trained at La Masia.
Gavi or Casadó. One of the two will leave Barça. Atlético is determined to fish at Camp Nou.