Olympique de Marseille has entered the race to sign Barcelona’s talented defensive midfielder Marc Casado, identifying the 21-year-old La Masia graduate as a prime candidate to replace Adrien Rabiot.
Marseille targets Barca’s Casado as Rabiot replacement
The French club recently placed Rabiot on the transfer list following a dressing-room altercation with teammate Jonathan Rowe, prompting a urgent search for reinforcements.
Marseille’s leadership, including president Pablo Longoria and sporting director Medhi Benatia, views Casado as an ideal fit due to his proven abilities and potential availability for €30 million.
Casado demonstrated his capability as a starting defensive midfielder for Barcelona last season, earning praise for his maturity and technical skills.
However, his playing time diminished after Frenkie de Jong’s return to the lineup, raising questions about his future role at the club.
Barcelona will not force Casado’s departure, emphasizing that the final decision rests solely with the player.
Despite interest from multiple clubs, including Premier League sides West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, as well as La Liga’s Real Betis, Casado has shown no inclination to leave Barcelona. His deep connection to the club and desire to fight for his place complicate any potential move.
The €30 million valuation is non-negotiable for Barcelona, as a sale at this price would significantly alleviate the club’s Financial Fair Play concerns.
Real Betis, among other suitors, finds this figure challenging but remains interested in Casado as a replacement for Johnny Cardoso.
Marseille now faces the task of convincing Casado to prioritize regular playing time over his loyalty to Barcelona.
With the transfer window closing soon, the outcome hinges on whether the young midfielder opts for stability or a new challenge.
