Barcelona open to selling midfielder linked with Manchester United

Barcelona’s grip on the La Liga title loosened dramatically on Wednesday night after a stunning 2-1 home defeat to ten-man Girona, a result that has sent ripples through the Camp Nou boardroom and intensified speculation over the future of academy graduate Marc Casado.

The 19-year-old midfielder, who stepped into the first-team breach during Frenkie de Jong’s recent injury lay-off, is now at the centre of a summer tug-of-war after Spanish daily Sport reported that Barcelona will consider offers for the player they had hoped to retain.

Casado’s cameo during the Dutchman’s absence underlined why the club’s coaching staff have praised his attitude and tactical intelligence, yet the return to full fitness of De Jong has relegated the youngster back to a rotational role behind an enviable queue of talent that includes Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez and Raphinha.

That congestion has convinced sporting directors that a sale may be unavoidable, even if the decision runs counter to the player’s own desire to continue wearing the Blaugrana shirt he first pulled on as a seven-year-old in La Masia.

Manchester United, long-time admirers of Casado’s ball-winning instincts and progressive passing, are poised to test Barcelona’s resolve. Erik ten Hag’s side are braced for the departure of veteran enforcer Casemiro and remain unconvinced by the early returns of summer recruit Manuel Ugarte, placing Casado high on a midfield shortlist that is understood to contain several marquee names.

United’s recruitment team believe the Spaniard’s hunger for regular minutes could be leveraged in negotiations, with Barcelona acknowledging that a lack of guaranteed starts may ultimately push the player towards the exit door.

The Catalans’ willingness to listen to bids marks a stark contrast to their stance only weeks ago, when Casado was viewed as an integral piece of the club’s future midfield puzzle. Yet the shock reverse to Girona—sealed by Fran Beltran’s 86th-minute strike after Thomas Lemar’s swift equaliser had cancelled out Pau Cubarsi’s opener—has sharpened focus on squad trimming ahead of what promises to be a pivotal summer window.

For now, Casado remains a Barcelona player, but the coming weeks could determine whether the next chapter of his career unfolds in England rather than on the turf of Camp Nou.