Atlético Madrid Target Barcelona Midfielder Marc Casadó Amid Financial Shake-Up
At a time when Barcelona is navigating the challenges of squad management and Financial Fair Play restrictions, a surprising development has emerged that could impact the club’s midfield structure. Reports suggest one of La Liga’s biggest rivals is preparing a move that might accelerate changes in Barça’s summer plans.
According to Sport, Atlético Madrid have initiated discreet talks to sign Barcelona midfielder Marc Casadó. The 20-year-old, once considered a rising talent at Camp Nou, is now reportedly on the verge of a departure.
Atlético head coach Diego Simeone is said to view Casadó as a key target to reinforce his midfield, especially following Rodrigo De Paul’s recent transfer to Inter Miami. While Atlético already brought in Johnny Cardoso earlier in the window, Simeone believes Casadó could emerge as a central figure for the team moving forward.
From Barcelona’s perspective, the club is reportedly open to selling Casadó. With Hansi Flick finalizing his midfield core and Marc Bernal nearing a return from injury, Casadó’s pathway to first-team minutes has narrowed significantly. Barça have set a price tag of around €30 million.
The potential sale could be pivotal for Barcelona’s broader transfer ambitions. Offloading Casadó would not only generate valuable funds but also help the club move closer to reactivating La Liga’s 1:1 spending rule—allowing them to reinvest more freely.
Such a move could pave the way for high-profile arrivals like Marcus Rashford, Juan García, or Wojciech Szczęsny, all of whom are reportedly on Barcelona’s radar this summer.
While Casadó’s departure might not draw headlines like other transfers, it could quietly become one of the most strategic moves in shaping Barcelona’s 2025/26 season.
