Barcelona President Rafa Yuste has promised that more signings will follow this summer following the addition of Anthony Gordon, but the form that this takes could well depend on the exits. Sporting Director Deco has been working on which players could bring in some funds to help their transfer plans for some time, but it is not yet clear where that money is coming from.
One of the clearest avenues of revenue would potentially be the sale of Marc Casado. The Masia product was linked with an exit last summer, but was keen to remain at Barcelona, and Hansi Flick voiced a desire to hold onto him. Now though the equation appears to have changed. Sport say that Casado ‘will’ leave Barcelona this summer, having come to the conclusion that his minimal involvement from last season will continue into the next if he remains.
Casado keen for loan move, Barcelona differ
That said, Casado remains keen to continue under contract, and would favour a loan move. This would do little to increase Deco’s budget in the transfer market, and the club would prefer a sale with a potential sell-on fee or a buyback clause. Diario AS say the 22-year-old is coming to accept that he will not have the opporunities he wants, and thus is more open to leaving than ever.
Real Betis interested in Casado
It is added by the Catalan daily that Barcelona have received an enquiry for Casado from Real Betis, although they are working on the sales of Sergi Altimira and Nelson Deossa before making a concrete move. Betis would be unable to pay the €20m Barcelona were seeking for Casado, but given the good relations between the two, they could negotiate a deal.
Bayer Leverkusen are monitoring his situation, while Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia have also been linked with him. Last summer, Wolves and West Ham United both showed an interest in Casado, but both sides have since been relegated from the Premier League.