Barcelona do not want Casadó but still want €30 million for him

Barcelona have spent months telling Marc Casadó that there is no place for him. At the same time, they believe a place at another club should cost around €30 million. The midfielder must now choose between Bayer Leverkusen and Beşiktaş, although neither option currently meets all of Barcelona’s expectations. Casadó needs a team. Barcelona mainly need the money.

FLICK HAS MADE HIS DECISION. NOW THE MARKET MUST PAY

According to Mundo Deportivo, the 22-year-old midfielder’s future lies away from Barcelona. Hansi Flick reportedly told Casadó at the end of last season that he was not part of his plans. He repeated the message before pre-season began.

The opening weeks of the campaign have left little room for interpretation. Casadó was omitted from the squad for Barcelona’s first three La Liga matches. Competition in midfield was already intense, while the arrival of Rodri has effectively closed the door to regular playing time.

Barcelona want to sell him. They do not want to let him leave for a symbolic fee, send him anywhere on loan or continue paying part of his salary. They want a permanent transfer, preferably for a fee matching the valuation of a player whom the coach does not even intend to select.

LEVERKUSEN OFFER FOOTBALL, BEŞIKTAŞ OFFER MORE TIME

Bayer Leverkusen are believed to be Casadó’s preferred option. The Bundesliga offers a high level, European football and the chance to continue his development without leaving the elite. Another advantage is coach Carles Martínez, who already knows the midfielder from his time working in Catalan football.

The problem is that interest is not the same as an offer that satisfies Barcelona. On deadline day, the distance between those two things can feel greater than the distance between Leverkusen and the Catalan capital.

Beşiktaş remain the other main possibility. The Turkish club are pushing strongly for the midfielder but prefer a loan deal. Barcelona would rather complete a permanent sale. Casadó must therefore choose between an appealing project in Germany, firm interest from Turkey and remaining at a club that has made it clear it does not intend to use him.

The Turkish window will remain open longer than the Spanish one, so a failure to reach an agreement before midnight would not necessarily end the negotiations. It may simply extend a situation in which everyone knows the desired outcome but nobody wants to pay the admission price.

BETIS ASKED AND QUICKLY DID THE MATHS

Real Betis have also been mentioned during the closing hours of the window. According to Mundo Deportivo, the Seville club did explore the possibility of signing Casadó, but that approach came several weeks ago. Betis now deny holding any recent talks.

The reason is hardly mysterious. Barcelona demanded around €30 million, while Betis have neither the transfer budget nor enough space within their salary limit to fund such a move. The only realistic structure would be a deal heavily favouring the Andalusian club: a loan with Betis covering only a small part of the player’s salary.

That would not solve Barcelona’s main problem. Casadó would disappear from the squad, but no meaningful fee would appear in the club’s accounts. If the academy graduate is no longer useful on the pitch, Barcelona at least want him to be useful financially.

NOT NEEDED, BUT STILL EXPENSIVE

Casadó is under contract until 2028, so Barcelona are not dealing with an agreement approaching its final months. The club have every right to demand a reasonable fee. Their negotiating position, however, is not strengthened by repeatedly announcing that the player is not part of the coach’s plans.

Potential buyers know that Flick is not selecting Casadó. They also know Barcelona want to reduce the squad and raise money. Under those circumstances, convincing anyone to immediately pay €30 million becomes rather difficult.

Casadó must now decide where he wants to rebuild his position. Leverkusen offer the more attractive sporting project. Beşiktaş are pushing harder but propose a deal that suits Barcelona less. Staying in Catalonia would mean fighting for a place that Flick does not appear to have reserved for him.

Barcelona have reached a familiar position. They do not need the player, but they certainly need the money. All that remains is finding a club willing to pay for an academy graduate as though Barcelona genuinely wanted to keep him.