The message coming from Hansi Flick, as West Ham United reportedly make a move to bring Marc Casado to the Premier League, is don’t believe everything you read.
Particularly, the claims coming out of the Spanish press over the last couple of days.
While West Ham remain intent on signing Mateus Fernandes – Southampton rejected an improved bid worth £32 million for the Portuguese talent this week – a dynamic number eight is not the only addition Graham Potter wants before the close of the window.
As Edson Alvarez closes in on a move to Fenerbahce, The Guardian reports that Potter would also like to bring in a deep-lying playmaker capable of dictating play from the number six role.
And this is where Marc Casado was supposed to come in.
An ‘amazing’ talent, to quote Blaugrana boss Hansi Flick, Casado was labelled Sergio Busquets’ heir apparent at the Camp Nou.
But, according to Sport, Barcelona have informed the West Ham United-linked La Masia graduate that he is no longer part of Flick’s plans.
Hansi Flick during Rcd Mallorca V Fc Barcelona - La Liga Ea Sports
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Barcelona coach Hansi Flick clarifies Marc Casado situation after West Ham United bid
Despite featuring regularly at the start of 2024/25, the returns of Frenkie de Jong and Gavi from long-term injuries mean first-team minutes have been much harder to come by of late.
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Marc Casado was an unused substitute as Barca started their La Liga defence with a 3-0 win at nine-man Real Mallorca last weekend.
But, speaking ahead of Saturday’s clash with newly-promoted Levante, former Germany and Bayern Munich manager Flick insists that reports detailing Marc Casado’s demise have been greatly exaggerated.
“I spoke with Marc Casado,” Flick said during his Friday press conference. “I don’t see him wanting to leave the team, nor do I think I want that either.
“He gives me confidence, and that is what I want as a coach.”
Barcelona played a staggering 64 games across all competitions last season, winning the Copa del Rey and the Supercopa Espana as well as reaching the semi-finals of a revamped Champions League format.
Marc Casado will have plenty of chances over the coming months, then. Especially considering that De Jong is never too far away from a spell on the treatment table.
“The season is long, and we want to achieve everything,” Flick adds. “I don’t want to lose any players.”
Marc Casado and Lamine Yamal celebrate during FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - LaLiga EA Sports
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West Ham linked with Hector Fort as Chelsea rebuff Andrey Santos offer
This may explain why, to quote The Guardian, West Ham have been ‘unsuccessful’ in pursuit of Marc Casado. Barcelona reportedly turned down an approach days after Chelsea rejected a £45 million bid for Andrey Santos.
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Flick’s comments will be music to the ears of the Blaugrana faithful, meanwhile.
The Barcelona supporters were not happy about Casado’s potential departure, and that is putting it lightly. Suggestions that an offer of £25 million could be enough to cash in on a player who provided masterful assists in successive matches against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich last season was, in the eyes of one particularly irate fan, ‘clown behaviour’.
Interestingly, Sport add that West Ham are also keen to take right-back Hector Fort on loan from Barcelona. As are David Moyes’ Everton.
Flick did not comment on the 19-year-old’s future, but this would feel like a slightly odd move for a side who recently brought in Kyle Walker-Peters to provide back-up for Hammer of the Year Aaron Wan-Bissaka.