Arsenal and Chelsea have both enquired about the possible signing of Barcelona defensive midfielder Marc Casado, sources have told CaughtOffside.
Arsenal fans are keeping a close eye on any move that could strengthen a midfield that is crying out for young legs and competitive character. The board is moving quietly, but every clue counts, especially when the Premier League does not forgive distractions. There are rumours that don’t just smoulder by chance. Some contacts are leaking out in dribs and drabs to gauge the atmosphere. The Emirates Stadium is calling for a profile that combines delivery, positioning and a certain cheek to go up top. In this scenario, any name that smells of the immediate future arouses interest. It is not enough to sign for the sake of signing; the requirement is clear: to improve the present.
According to CaughtOffside, Arsenal and Chelsea have enquired about Marc Casado, Barcelona’s defensive pivot who at just 21 years of age already moves with the calm of those who read the game two seconds before the opponent. Manchester United have also been mentioned, although for the moment, the Red Devils have not even entered into formal talks. Bayer Leverkusen were the first to make a bid but came up against the wall. The Catalan club are aiming for around 50 million euros, despite the fact that the boy’s clause goes up to 100 million. For now, the ball is still rolling unchecked, with no deal in sight.
A piece of future that Arsenal should value with magnifying glass
The signing of Casado might seem like another name in the endless list of young players knocking on the door of the Premier League. However, scratch the surface and you see something different. Arsenal, under Arteta, need a player to stand the pulse of tense games, to cover Odegaard’s back when the Norwegian is thrown forward. Casado fits the bill in terms of mentality and profile, but his price tag complicates the operation. Barcelona are not going to give away a home-grown player, especially in times of economic adjustments. The fact that Arsenal and Chelsea have sounded out the players do not mean anything firm, but it shows that both clubs are moving in advance.
What is interesting here is not only the price and the clause, but also Arteta’s courage in betting on a pivot who has not yet been able to develop in the elite. A gamble or a risk? The Emirates always demands immediate results. If Casado lands, he will have to withstand the pressure of a dressing room that knows it is a contender for everything.
For the Gunners, a signing like this means relying on the base, on building in the long term. My opinion is clear: Arsenal need to sign profiles with hunger, but without giving away millions for promising players who could fall by the wayside. If the operation is unblocked, the question is who really pays for the maturity of a midfielder who is aiming high. That decision will mark the summer in London.