Marc Casado reiterates desire to stay at Barcelona amid exit rumours: ‘Nobody can doubt that’ | OneFootball

Marc Casado’s future at FC Barcelona has taken an unexpected turn following the injury concerns surrounding Frenkie de Jong.

What had looked like a likely summer departure is now far less certain, with Hansi Flick potentially reconsidering his midfield plans.

While further tests are still required, initial assessments have raised significant concerns as a knee injury could sideline De Jong for around four months, leaving Barcelona without one of Flick’s most important midfielders during the opening stretch of the campaign.

Before De Jong’s setback, Casado appeared destined to leave the club. But the Dutchman’s injury could change things.

Casado wants to stay

Casado himself has never hidden his desire to remain at Barcelona. The La Masia midfielder has time and again reiterated his intention to stay at the club until and unless he is specifically asked to leave.

Casado wants to stay. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

And speaking to Tot Costa on Catalunya Radio (h/t SPORT), the midfielder revealed that further discussions with Flick and the club’s sporting department are still to come before any final decision is made.

“There are still things we need to discuss with the coach, the sporting directors and my agent. We’ll do that over the coming weeks and then decide,” he said.

Casado also made his position perfectly clear, saying: “Nobody can doubt that I want to stay here. If someone tells me they don’t want me, then we’ll have to find the best solution for everyone.”

Despite his determination to succeed at Barcelona, Casado insists the club’s interests will always come first.

“As a Barça fan, I want what’s best for the team and the club. If they think I should stay, I’ll stay. If they believe it’s better for the club that I leave so the team can continue growing, then I’ll go.”

What next for Casado?

Only a few days ago, Casado’s departure seemed almost inevitable. Following discussions with Flick, he had understood that his opportunities would be limited behind De Jong, Pedri, Gavi and Marc Bernal in the midfield hierarchy.

De Jong’s injury could change things for Casado. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

His agent, Jorge Mendes, subsequently began exploring options elsewhere, with interest arriving from England, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Barcelona were hoping to receive around €30 million for the academy graduate, whose contract runs until 2028. Now, however, the situation has shifted.

With De Jong potentially unavailable for several months, Flick may decide to keep Casado as part of the squad to maintain depth in midfield.

Now, De Jong’s injury has reopened the debate, giving both Flick and the midfielder fresh reasons to reconsider.

Barcelona’s plans for the remainder of the transfer window may ultimately depend on the severity of the Dutchman’s injury, while Casado continues to hope he can earn a place at the club he has always wanted to represent.