Full Elaboration:
Barcelona have slapped a hefty €50 million price tag on emerging midfield talent Marc Casadó, as Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen show concrete interest in acquiring his services, according to reports from El Nacional.
The 20-year-old, a product of the famed La Masia academy, has been making waves with his performances for Barcelona Atlètic and during his brief appearances with the senior team. Known for his tenacity, positional intelligence, and leadership qualities, Casadó is being groomed as a potential successor to some of Barça’s veteran midfielders.
Sources close to the club suggest that manager Xavi Hernández and the Barcelona board are at odds over the player’s future. While some believe Casadó should be integrated more consistently into the first-team setup, others argue that now might be the right time to capitalize on his rising market value — especially considering the club’s delicate financial situation.
On the other end, Bayer Leverkusen, led by former Real Madrid and Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, are said to be highly impressed with Casadó’s profile. The German side, who stunned Europe with their unbeaten Bundesliga title run last season, are looking to deepen their squad with young, technically gifted players ahead of their return to the Champions League. Casadó is seen as a long-term investment who could thrive under Alonso’s tactical system.
Despite the interest, Barcelona have made it clear: unless Leverkusen are willing to meet the €50 million release clause or negotiate a deal close to it, Casadó will remain at the Camp Nou. However, with Barcelona’s ongoing need to balance their books, a tempting offer could still shift the narrative.
As the summer window unfolds, the situation remains fluid, with both clubs keeping their cards close to their chest. Casadó’s future, whether in Spain or Germany, could be one of the more intriguing subplots of this transfer window.