Atletico Madrid tables loan move for Barcelona ace as city rivals launch shock January bid to raid Camp Nou star.
The proposal arrives as Diego Simeone seeks to address rotation gaps exposed by Conor Gallagher’s departure to Tottenham, with the Catalan ace emerging as a tactical fit for the Colchoneros’ high-intensity style.
This move pits Atletico Madrid against potential rivals like Manchester United, who have also eyed the homegrown star.
That midfielder is Marc Casadó, the 22-year-old La Masia product who burst onto the scene last season but now battles for minutes under Hansi Flick amid competition from Frenkie de Jong and rising talents like Marc Bernal, as reported by Fichajes.
Casadó offers tactical discipline, recovery pace, and versatility—qualities Simeone craves—having featured sparingly in 19 appearances this term, including just 11 minutes off the bench against Villarreal.
The bid structures as a loan until season’s end with a mandatory purchase option tied to achievable targets, potentially reaching €30 million—a figure Atletico Madrid deems worthwhile for an economical January fix, unlike pricier targets like Atalanta’s Ederson.
Barcelona view the deal favourably, recognising Casadó’s need for regular football to boost his value, while securing significant future income from a homegrown asset.
Negotiations hinge on finalising the buy clause, with a resolution possible in days if clubs align.
For Atletico Madrid, Casadó slots seamlessly into Simeone’s engine room, providing order and bite alongside Koke and Rodrigo De Paul, especially with the Champions League looming.
Barcelona, meanwhile, retain faith in his potential despite Flick’s stern demands for full commitment from squad and academy players alike.
A switch to the Metropolitano could accelerate Casadó’s growth, offering Europa League exposure and a platform to prove his elite-level readiness—potentially returning stronger or paving a permanent path elsewhere.
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