Brilliant Barcelona youngster Marc Casado has cryptically spoken out after West Ham and Wolves both launched bids for him, setting tongues wagging over his next move.
West Ham have gone head-to-head with Premier League rivals Wolves to try and sign top young Barca talent Marc Casado.
Both Graham Potter and Vitor Pereira are desperate for signings after disastrous starts to the new season.
The Hammers have shipped eight players out but have signed just four, with only two of those being for the starting XI.
That’s despite a woeful season where they were fighting with the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers just to avoid finishing 17th.
West Ham and Wolves have weaknesses brutally exposed
Wolves have lost several key players including Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri.
And the weaknesses in both teams were there for all to see on the opening day as West Ham lost 3-0 at newly-promoted Sunderland while Wolverhampton Wanderers were torn apart 4-0 by Man City.
That has seen both Potter and Pereira push the panic button on transfers with 11 days left of the summer transfer window.
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The harsh truth is West Ham and Wolves need reinforcements in defence, midfield and attack.
But the middle of the park is a top priority for both with the clock ticking down on their chance to do something about it as they face up to a season battling relegation.
Marc Casado during Real Madrid v FC Barcelona - LaLiga EA Sports
Photo by Maria Gracia Jimenez/Soccrates/Getty Images
That has put the Irons and Wolverhampton Wanderers on a collision course over a mutual target in the shape of Barcelona’s Casado.
The Guardian and a host of other outlets have reported that West Ham and Wolves have made bids for Spanish defensive midfield ace Casado before the window closes.
The 21-year-old La Masia product is a deep-lying playmaker who would bring much-needed mobility in midfield.
West Ham and Wolves target Casado has been likened to Sergio Busquets by many but there are also traits of his legendary midfield partners Xavi and Andres Iniesta about his game.
Casado is extremely versatile and has been known to fill in at right-back and even centre-back.
West Ham and Wolves lodge bids for brilliant Barca star Casado
Busquets himself is a huge fan, raving about the emerging talent during his breakthrough campaign last season.
“He has surprised us a lot,” Busquets said.
“I actually knew him for a long time, because he has been in the reserve team for many years and came to many training sessions.
“He is a very good player. But the level he is showing is superlative; he gives assists, he doesn’t lose the ball, he always chooses well.”
Now brilliant Barca star Casado has cryptically spoken out about the West Ham and Wolves bids.
There is a feeling in Spain that Barcelona, who have been struggling financially for years now, are loathe to lose Casado but may not have much choice.
There has also been talk the player himself may be considering his future as he faces being demoted following the return from injury of two top Barca midfield stars.
Marc Casado finds himself back on the Barcelona bench after his breakthrough season
Photo By Javier Borrego/Europa Press via Getty Images
The man Potter and Pereira want to bring to the Premier League became a key player in Hansi Flick’s midfield during the injury-enforced absences of Frenkie de Jong and Gavi at the beginning of 2024/25.
But with De Jong and Gavi available again alongside the generational talent Pedri, Casado faces being consigned to a bench-warming role this term.
Unless he joins West Ham or Wolves, where he would be one of the first names on the teamsheet.
How does Casado feel about that prospect, though?
Well we may be none the wiser – or it could be an emphatic answer to that particular question, depending on your interpretation.
At this stage of the window, the social media activity of players being linked with moves can drop big clues over their future.
Casado cryptically speaks out about West Ham and Wolves bids
West Ham and Wolves fans may not know what to make of Casado’s post, which emerged on the day he was suddenly linked with moves to the London Stadium or Molineux.
Casado took to his Instagram Stories, which disappear after 24 hours, to post a picture of his younger self wearing a Barcelona home shirt alongside what appears to be his mum wearing a Barca away shirt.
The pair are smiling for the picture, but Potter and Pereira might not be when they see what Casado posted over the top of the image.
The twice-capped Spain international put an infinity emoji alongside hearts in the Barcelona colours.
It was a clear response to the rumours over his future.
Most have taken it as a message from Casado essentially saying he is ‘Barcelona forever’ and therefore not joining West Ham or Wolves after they lodged bids.
Others of a more optimistic and hopeful disposition believe it could be an emotional post from Casado, stating he will always love Barcelona ahead of a reluctant potential move in search of the game time he became so used to last season.
The Guardian journalist Jacob Steinberg stated the Casado deal is ‘considered difficult to do’ for West Ham and Wolves.
The good news is, fans of both clubs don’t have to wait long to find out the true meaning of Casado’s cryptic post with the window slamming shut a week on Monday.