Hansi Flick stands his ground: Marc Casadó will not move from Barça

FC Barcelona faces the clash against Levante amidst a still open market and with several pending operations. The Blaugrana club has not been able to finalize the registration of players like Gerard Martín, Szczesny, or Roony Bardghji, a situation that directly depends on the departures that may materialize in the coming days.

Among the names that have circulated the most in the offices is that of Marc Casadó, a midfielder from the youth academy who has attracted interest from numerous teams in Europe.

However, as reported by the newspaper Sport, Hansi Flick, current Barcelona coach, has made it clear that he does not consider letting go of the player. In the press conference before the duel with Levante, the German coach firmly responded to speculations about a possible sale of the midfielder. "I have spoken with him. He does not want to leave, and I do not want him to either. We have a demanding campaign ahead of us, and we need all the players. He provides us with security, and that is what I am looking for as a coach. We have ambitious goals, and that is why it is essential to have the entire squad,” Flick stated.

The coach's words come at a time when Casadó has attracted significant interest. Premier League teams such as Wolverhampton, Bournemouth, and West Ham have inquired about him, while in LaLiga, options like Betis or Atlético de Madrid have emerged. Additionally, in France, Olympique de Marseille has also joined the bidding after the internal conflict that has led to Adrien Rabiot's potential exit.

Flick prevents Barcelona from selling Mar Casadó

The persistence of these clubs reflects the situation of the midfielder within the Blaugrana squad. Last season, Casadó managed to establish himself in the starting lineup following the injuries of Marc Bernal and Frenkie de Jong, but once the Dutchman recovered, the young Catalan saw a significant reduction in his playing time. This scenario has raised doubts about his immediate future, although Flick has unequivocally ruled out any transfer.

For Flick, managing the squad involves keeping as many resources as possible, especially in a season marked by the demands of the three major competitions: La Liga, Champions League, and Copa del Rey. The German believes that players like Casadó are essential for effective rotation and to prevent physical issues throughout the season.

The coach was also questioned about the situation of Fermín, another youth product who has attracted interest in this final stretch of the market. Flick reiterated the same stance: “I do not want to lose anyone. Fermín is very valuable and has shown that he can compete at the highest level. I am satisfied with him and the rest of the players. My intention is for all of them to stay.”

This public support sends a direct message to the board, which is seeking ways to balance the books and register new signings. Currently, the most advanced departures seem to be those of Héctor Fort, Iñaki Peña, and Oriol Romeu, although in the first two cases, the idea is for them to leave on loan rather than a permanent transfer.

The midfield area is undoubtedly the most crowded in the Culé team. With established players like Pedri, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, or Ilkay Gündogan, along with promising young talents coming through, the competition is fierce. Nonetheless, Flick understands that the schedule is too demanding to let go of pieces that could be crucial at any point in the season.

The decision to retain Casadó reinforces the notion that the coach aims to build a competitive Barcelona without relinquishing the talent from the academy. The midfielder, developed in La Masia, is seen by many as a player capable of establishing himself in the first team in the medium term, provided he is given the necessary opportunities.

Flick's support not only impacts Casadó but also the rest of the squad. The message is clear: the coach trusts his players and will not allow departures that weaken the team. In a time when the club is aiming for institutional and sporting stability, retaining homegrown players could be a strategic move both in the sporting and economic aspects.

With the season just beginning, Casadó now has the opportunity to demonstrate that he can be a significant asset in rotations and gain prominence under Flick's guidance. The German has made it clear that he considers him vital, and despite the interest from Premier League clubs, everything points to him continuing to wear the Blaugrana colors, at least for this season.

Marc Casadó's situation epitomizes the delicate balance that Barça faces between the need to balance its finances and the desire to maintain a competitive team. Offers abound, but Hansi Flick has imposed his judgment: there will be no sale of the midfielder. In a club undergoing a reconstruction process, holding onto the most promising academy talents can be crucial for building the future.

Casadó's case will be a litmus test to gauge the extent of the German coach's decision-making power against the club's financial needs. For now, his message leaves no room for doubt: Barcelona will not part ways with its young midfielder.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Hansi Flick se planta: Marc Casadó no se moverá del Barça