The 2025/26 season is shaping up to be anything but ordinary for Barcelona, particularly in the midfield, which is now so overloaded that it has presented a serious challenge for head coach Hansi Flick.
The German tactician, who strongly supports Barcelona’s youth development project, now finds himself juggling the task of blending young talents with seasoned professionals—a balance that’s proving difficult to maintain.
Currently, the club’s midfield is stacked with top-tier names such as Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Gavi, Fermín López, and Dani Olmo, all of whom are fiercely vying for regular starting roles. The situation is expected to become even more competitive with Marc Bernal on the verge of returning from a long-term injury, further squeezing the availability of minutes for other squad members.
This intense competition has put Marc Casado’s future in serious doubt. Once hailed as a rising star after a strong start last season, Casado’s form dipped as the season progressed, resulting in him losing his place in the starting lineup and spending most matches on the bench.
While Flick still regards him as a dependable backup, his standing in the squad appears fragile, particularly after Rodrigo Hernández’s recovery, which has also diminished Casado’s prospects of breaking into the Spanish national team under Luis de la Fuente.
Meanwhile, Flick has publicly reiterated his faith in Gavi, who had been previously linked with a potential exit. The coach’s trust in the young midfielder has only grown stronger, bolstered by their positive working relationship and Gavi’s recent standout performance in the team’s opening preseason match.
In light of all this, Casado has become a top candidate to leave Barcelona this summer. Atlético Madrid are reportedly very interested, with manager Diego Simeone dissatisfied with his current squad additions and now eyeing Casado as a serious target. Sources suggest that Simeone is considering a formal offer to bring him to Madrid.
From Barcelona’s perspective, they are open to letting Casado go—provided a suitable financial offer comes through. With their midfield overflowing and the need to streamline the squad increasing, the club sees this as a potential opportunity to make necessary adjustments. As the transfer window progresses, all eyes are now on Casado. Will he be the next departure from Camp Nou in what could be one of the more surprising moves of the summer?
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