Arsenal eye Barcelona’s “Animal” midfielder Marc Casado in a €50m shock move. Arsenal have joined Chelsea and Manchester United in the race to eye and sign Barcelona’s 21-year-old midfielder Marc Casado, dubbed an “animal” by teammates and available for a cut-price €50 million (£43 million)—half his €100 million release clause—amid the Catalan club’s financial pressures.
The Rising Star
Casado was raised in Barcelona’s renowned La Masia academy. He was captain of Barça Atlètic prior to his transition to the senior level when he made his debut in 2022. Moreover, he was developed by Hansi Flick who utilized Casado regularly throughout the season last year as he played 36 times in all competitions while scoring one goal and providing six assists. His numbers may not be overwhelming, but he can impact games in various other ways:
- Elite Passing: 91.3% pass completion in games in La Liga and Champions League
- Defensive Steel: 6.4 ball recoveries and 2.1 tackles per game.
- Tactical Versatility: He is exceptional as a defensive midfielder at Barcelona, but has also played right-back and centre-back.
The High-Profile Praise
Casado’s performances for Spain’s national team, however, drew striking acclaim. After a standout display in a 3–2 win over Switzerland, winger Bryan Zaragoza declared:
- “He’s an animal. I don’t even know what to say about how he played. He’s barbaric.”.
Spain manager Luis de la Fuente added:
- “Marc plays like a veteran. His confidence, security, and control amaze me.”.
Why Arsenal Want Him
Despite signing Martin Zubimendi (25) and Christian Norgaard (31) this summer, Arsenal’s midfield reshuffle continues after the exits of Thomas Partey and Jorginho. Casado offers:
1. Long-Term Potential: At 21, he’s in the view of as a future understudy to Zubimendi, with higher ceiling than the aging Norgaard.
2. System Fit: His progressive passing (94th percentile for passes received) and tactical discipline align with Mikel Arteta’s emphasis on build-up control.
3. Depth for Multiple Competitions: With Champions League football looming, Arsenal needs rotational options.
Barcelona’s Stance and Competition
Barcelona prefers to retain Casado but face financial constraints, forcing them to consider a €50 million sale. However, Arsenal faces fierce competition:
- Chelsea: Seek a long-term replacement for the injury-prone Romeo Lavia.
- Manchester United: View Casado as an upgrade on underperforming Manuel Ugarte.
- Leverkusen: Already had a bid rejected earlier this summer.
Strategic Implications
For Barcelona, selling Casado comes at an unfortunate time, but it has to be done if they want to make some new signings, especially since Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, and Gavi are still all getting plenty of minutes in midfield. For Arsenal, this signing clearly shows Arteta’s perspective of constructing a young, technical core. Casado, with his combination of being tenacious on the ball, situational awareness, and being able to pass through the press, could provide the marginal gain needed to compete for the Premier League.
The Road Ahead
Arsenal’s enquiry for Barcelona’s Marc Casado reflects a strategic assessment of market opportunities rather than an urgent midfield need. Having already secured Martin Zubimendi (25) as their primary defensive midfielder and Christian Nørgaard (31) as experienced backup, the Gunners’ initial contact appears opportunistic. Casado’s profile—a 21-year-old La Masia graduate branded an “animal” by Spain teammate Bryan Zaragoza for his tenacity and technical security (91.3% pass accuracy)—aligns with Mikel Arteta’s preference for versatile, high-ceiling talents. His €50m (£43m) valuation, half his €100m release clause, makes him financially viable amid Barcelona’s urgency to raise funds.
Final Thoughts
However, Arsenal faces significant hurdles. Chelsea and Manchester United have also enquired, with United viewing Casado as an upgrade for Manuel Ugarte. Moreover, Arsenal’s priority remains attacking reinforcements after signing Noni Madueke and pursuing Viktor Gyökeres, reducing the likelihood of a €50m midfield gamble unless Partey/Jorginho’s exits create unforeseen needs. While Casado’s tactical intelligence (6.4 recoveries per game) and leadership (ex-Barça Atlètic captain) offer long-term appeal, his acquisition seems contingent on Barcelona forcing a sale or rivals escalating bids. Arteta must weigh this “marginal gain” against more pressing squad investments.
As featured on GoonerNews.com
