Arsenal want to sign £43m Barcelona midfielder | OneFootball

Interest intensifies as Premier League clubs monitor Casado

In a summer market increasingly shaped by value and potential, Barcelona’s Marc Casado is attracting serious attention from several Premier League clubs. Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are all assessing the 21-year-old’s situation, with Barcelona reportedly willing to sanction his departure for a fee of around €50 million (£43 million) — half his €100 million release clause.

Casado is not yet a household name. But in football’s quieter corners, those where scouts trade whispers and recruitment staff pore over data, he is becoming a subject of serious conversation.

A product of La Masia, Barcelona’s revered academy, Casado has long been seen as a player of rare technical and positional intelligence. Appointed captain of Barça Atlètic before making his senior debut in November 2022, he has gradually carved a niche for himself in the first-team squad. His importance to Hansi Flick last season, in a transitional period for the Catalans, only grew as the campaign unfolded.

Numbers behind Casado’s growing reputation

Across all competitions in 2024/25, Casado made 36 appearances, scoring once and registering six assists. His numbers may not scream star power, but that would be missing the point. As a defensive midfielder, Casado operates in the shadows, anchoring play, recycling possession and dictating tempo.

His pass completion rate of 91.3% across La Liga and Champions League matches reflects his reliability in tight spaces. He averaged 6.4 ball recoveries per 90 minutes and completed 2.1 tackles per game, underlining his defensive discipline and positional awareness.

More telling, perhaps, was the impact he made in Spain’s 3-2 win over Switzerland in November, where he drew high praise from national team coach Luis de la Fuente. “He plays like a veteran,” the Spain boss said. “With that confidence, that calmness, and that sense of control.”

That match marked only his second appearance for La Roja, but his maturity stood out. His team-mate, Bryan Zaragoza, described him as “an animal”, referencing the physicality and intensity Casado brings to the engine room.

Midfield dynamics may push Arsenal to act

Arsenal’s interest comes at a time when Mikel Arteta’s midfield is being subtly reshaped. The exits of Jorginho and Thomas Partey have created space, even after the high-profile arrivals of Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard. The latter, 31, may offer experience, but Casado brings longevity and a contrasting profile.

There is belief that Casado could serve as a long-term understudy — and eventual successor — to Zubimendi, offering versatility as both a holding midfielder and deep-lying playmaker.

Chelsea and Manchester United, both exploring midfield reinforcements, remain attentive. Chelsea’s interest dates back to February, while United have considered Casado as a potential alternative to Manuel Ugarte, whose debut season at Old Trafford left questions unanswered.

Barcelona’s financial landscape may accelerate deal

For all of Casado’s promise, Barcelona’s position remains complicated. With Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Pedri and emerging talent Marc Bernal already competing for midfield minutes, the club’s hierarchy is open to negotiation — especially with the need to balance the books.

Selling a player like Casado, who still holds considerable value despite only one full top-flight season, aligns with the club’s wider strategy. His €50 million valuation may seem steep, but for clubs seeking a technically proficient, tactically intelligent midfielder with growth potential, it could prove a shrewd investment.

As the transfer window gathers pace, Casado’s future remains delicately poised. But with top Premier League sides circling and Barcelona seemingly willing to do business, the next chapter in his career may soon be written on English soil.

Marc Casado’s radar chart offers a fascinating insight into the playing profile of a highly specialised, ball-recycling midfielder who excels in possession retention and defensive interventions. Over 2,244 minutes in the last 365 days, Casado has emerged as a calm, consistent presence in midfield, posting elite-level metrics for passing and ball retention. He ranks in the 93rd percentile for passes attempted and 92nd for pass completion, making him a metronome in possession. Furthermore, his ability to progress play is evident with 79th percentile progressive passes and a remarkable 94th percentile for progressive passes received. This underlines his spatial awareness and willingness to act as a conduit in build-up phases.

Defensively, Casado’s profile shows tenacity and resilience. His 85th percentile ranking in tackles and interceptions (Tkl+Int) demonstrates a robust ability to break up opposition moves, while his 69th percentile for dribblers tackled confirms he’s reliable in one-on-one duels. Though not particularly dominant aerially (just 5th percentile), Casado compensates through positioning and timing, supported by decent numbers in blocks (46th percentile) and clearances (35th percentile). These stats suggest a player more focused on intelligent positioning and ground duels than physical confrontations in the air. In many ways, Casado’s defensive metrics resemble those of a holding midfielder comfortable screening the backline while facilitating transitions.

In terms of attacking output, Casado is clearly not a primary goal threat, though he does chip in effectively when needed. His non-penalty xG ranks at the 40th percentile, while actual non-penalty goals sit at 35th, suggesting a player whose output matches expectations. Notably, he boasts a 90th percentile rank for expected assisted goals (xAG), showing vision and creativity in deeper areas, and a solid 63rd percentile in shot-creating actions. This paints the picture of a deep-lying playmaker who rarely surges forward himself but regularly initiates moves that lead to chances. All in all, Casado presents as a system-oriented midfielder, one who provides defensive solidity and tempo control—an ideal profile for clubs seeking a technically secure, tactically intelligent pivot who operates with maturity beyond his years.