Atletico Madrid reject Barcelona midfielder Casado amid squad restructuring
Diego Simeone’s side moves away from Marc Casado despite agent talks, leaving Barcelona’s star with a complex transfer landscape.
Atletico Madrid have formally rejected interest in signing Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado, effectively ending persistent speculation surrounding a potential move to the Spanish capital. According to a report by the Spanish outlet SPORT, the club has moved away from the possibility of securing the player, despite ongoing discussions between his representatives and Atletico’s hierarchy.
The decision follows conversations between Casado’s representative, Jorge Mendes, and Atletico’s director of football, Mateu Alemany. While the talks explored the midfielder’s situation, the club’s response was definitive. Atletico have indicated they are not interested in Casado, citing reservations regarding his fit within the current squad structure.
This strategic pivot comes as Atletico Madrid have recently strengthened their midfield options with the arrivals of Rodrigo Mendoza and Obed Vargas. These new signings have effectively pushed Casado further down the club’s list of priorities, as the Rojiblancos seek to consolidate their existing roster rather than add another player to a position they have just bolstered.
For Casado, the rejection from Atletico underscores the growing likelihood that he will depart Barcelona. The midfielder is seeking regular first-team football, a requirement that has complicated his transfer prospects. With Atletico seemingly out of the picture, Mendes has been forced to widen the search for a destination that can offer the playing time Casado desires.
Barcelona are currently seeking a fee between €20 million and €25 million for the player, a valuation that will test the market in the coming weeks. While Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal remains interested and has reportedly offered a financially attractive proposal, Casado is understood to prefer remaining in a highly competitive European environment to continue his development. This sporting preference may ultimately steer him away from the Middle East, despite the significant financial incentives on offer.
