As the summer transfer window draws to a close, the fate of Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado is attracting considerable attention. Despite being deemed surplus to requirements by coach Hansi Flick, Casado has yet to finalize his departure from Camp Nou. While RB Leipzig previously showed interest, they have since abandoned their pursuit, leaving Besiktas as the leading club in contention.
Besiktas has emerged as the most persistent suitor for Casado, intensifying their efforts in the final days of the transfer window. According to reports from Diario SPORT, the Turkish club has been actively pursuing the midfielder since the beginning of the summer. Eduard Graf, Besiktas's sporting director, known for his long tenure as head of scouting at Borussia Dortmund and his admiration for Barcelona's footballing philosophy, initiated contact with Casado's representative, Jorge Mendes, before engaging with Barcelona's Deco. Besiktas currently stands as the only club to have submitted a formal offer for Casado.
Barcelona initially set an asking price of around €20 million for Casado. However, with the transfer deadline fast approaching, the club has re-evaluated its stance. Having secured funding for their transfer targets, particularly following the sale of Ferran Torres to PSG, Barcelona's primary focus has shifted to simply generating funds from Casado's transfer. This change in priority could potentially pave the way for a more amicable negotiation with Besiktas.
Despite Besiktas leading the race, Casado himself reportedly harbors some reservations about the move. He is understood to prefer other destinations within Europe, having previously declined a switch to Saudi Arabia. While other European clubs, including RB Leipzig (who are now signing Neil El Aynaoui) and unnamed English clubs, have shown interest, none have matched Besiktas's formal offer. Casado's ultimate goal is to find a new club where he can play regularly, even if it means leaving his boyhood club. All indications suggest his next destination will be in one of Europe's premier leagues, though a final decision is yet to be made. With time running out, Barcelona, Mendes, and Casado are working diligently to resolve the situation, with an outcome expected just before the deadline.
