Frenkie de Jong is sidelined with a knee injury that could keep him out until November, but Barcelona has made it crystal clear: they are not altering their transfer plans for Marc Casado. You'd think a key midfielder being out for months would force a rethink, right? Not for Barca, who are committed to finding Casado a new home this summer.
€30 Million on the Table and No Looking Back
This isn't some last-minute decision, either. Casado has been expected to depart for weeks, and the club's sporting management isn't blinking despite De Jong's significant setback. They genuinely believe the squad has enough depth to handle the Dutchman's absence, so it's business as usual. Barcelona is open to a permanent transfer if a suitable offer comes knocking. And let's be real, a suitable offer for a €30 million valuation is out there. We're talking serious interest from Saudi Arabian clubs, who absolutely have the cash to meet that price tag. Plus, a bunch of European teams have been sniffing around, a scenario that Casado himself reportedly prefers. The sporting department sees this as the absolute right moment to cash in on Casado, rather than waiting it out until the winter transfer window.Flick Trusts His Guys to Get It Done
New coach Hansi Flick is clearly confident in the talent already on his roster, even without Casado filling out the midfield. Pedri, as expected, is an automatic starter in that midfield engine room. And keep an eye on Marc Bernal, who is viewed as the leading candidate to step into a bigger role after he impressed everyone during the closing stages of last season. Gavi is another serious option for a deeper midfield spot, although Flick tends to use the Spain international a bit further up the pitch, where his pressing and attacking skills can cause more chaos for opponents. And get this: they've even got defenders who can slide into midfield if needed! Eric Garcia played the holding midfield role several times last season, showing off his tactical smarts and poise on the ball. Andreas Christensen has also played as a defensive midfielder during his career, offering another layer of versatility even though injuries have limited his time there over the past two seasons. That kind of flexibility gives Flick so many solutions while De Jong works his way back. So, as things stand, Casado remains one of the players most likely to be gone before the transfer window slams shut. His agent, Jorge Mendes, has been hustling for weeks to find the perfect fit, and Barcelona believes a permanent sale is the best move for both the club and the player. This is a cold, calculated move, and it shows just how much faith the club has in its existing talent pool.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.