The future of one of FC Barcelona's young talents is hanging in the air. After an injury that halted his growth, the midfielder is looking for a team where he can shine consistently. Atlético de Madrid, led by Diego Simeone, appears as a very tempting option.
An injury that affected his progress
The player suffered an injury to the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee in March, just as he was starting to show his best form. This injury sidelined him during the final stretch of last season. Since his recovery, he has played in the preseason, but he still doesn't have the pace or consistency for a regular spot with Hansi Flick.
Gavi and Frenkie de Jong are the undisputed pillars of Barça's midfield. In addition, Marc Bernal's recovery has further limited his opportunities in the team. This opens the door to a possible departure that would allow the player to have a leading role at another club.
Marc Casadó and Atlético de Madrid's interest
Marc Casadó, the young midfielder born in Sant Pere de Vilamajor, is the main name being considered to strengthen Atlético's midfield. With Rodrigo De Paul's departure, "Cholo" is looking for a defensive pivot who can provide solidity and ball recovery in the center of the field. Simeone has promised him that, if he joins, he will be a key player and an undisputed starter.
Although Casadó has publicly denied his intention to leave Barça immediately, the reality is that both Deco and Joan Laporta are willing to negotiate if an interesting offer arrives. The club has set a release clause of 100 million euros, but it would be willing to sell him for around 50 million.
The battle for Casadó and the offers on the table
Atlético is the club pushing the hardest, but it's not the only one. Bayer Leverkusen has also shown interest and has submitted significant offers. Initially, the German team offered 20 million guaranteed plus 10 in add-ons, but more recently, the offer has risen to 35 million, according to various sources.
In Madrid, the "colchonero" club has already invested more than 192 million USD (175 million euros) in signings this season, so it doesn't seem likely they can exceed 35 million for this midfielder. This difference from the amount Barça expects complicates the deal, but Simeone's desire to have Casadó could facilitate negotiations.