Barcelona’s 22-year-old midfielder Marc Casadó has suddenly become the focus of a major transfer tug-of-war.
While the player is a product of the club’s famed academy, the combination of Barcelona’s financial desperation and a staggering €40 million offer from Saudi Arabia has put his future at the Camp Nou in serious doubt.
The Saudi Connection: The Mendes Factor
The rumors gained significant traction after Casadó signed with super-agent Jorge Mendes late last year. Mendes is known for his deep ties to the Saudi Pro League and the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
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The Meeting: Catalan outlet Sport reports that Saudi representatives are scheduled to meet with Mendes this week to present a formal project.
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The Package: The deal being discussed exceeds €40 million—a figure that far outstrips the €30 million asking price Barcelona set last summer when clubs like West Ham were circling.
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The “Veiga Model”: Sources suggest Casadó is considering the move as a “financial sabbatical,” similar to Gabri Veiga, with the intent of returning to a top European club in 2029 with his financial future fully secured.
Flick’s Dilemma: Talent vs. Minutes
Despite being a highly respected figure in the locker room, Casadó’s role under Hansi Flick has diminished this season (2025/2026).
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The Minutes Gap: Last season, Casadó was a breakout star, clocking over 2,000 minutes. This year, due to the return of injured stars and the rise of Marc Bernal and Tommy Marques, he has managed just 1,092 minutes so far.
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The Club’s Stance: Barcelona is playing a double game. While they publicly state they want to extend his contract until 2028, they are internally open to a sale if it helps them reach the 1:1 spending rule required by La Liga.
The “Counter-Offer” from Europe
If Casadó decides to stay in Europe but leave Barcelona, he won’t be short of options.
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Atletico Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen are both monitoring his situation closely, though their current valuations sit around the €30 million mark—significantly lower than the Saudi “mega-bid.”