Atletico Madrid end pursuit of Barcelona's Marc Casado

Atletico Madrid have withdrawn their interest in signing Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado this summer, according to reports from Sport. The decision ends a long-standing link between the player and the capital club and complicates Barcelona's plans to offload the academy graduate, who is seeking more regular first-team football.

The 22-year-old Casado had emerged as a key figure under Hansi Flick during the early part of the 2025-26 season, but his opportunities have diminished since. He now finds himself behind the likes of Marc Bernal, Frenkie de Jong, and Gavi in the midfield hierarchy at Camp Nou. With his contract situation and desire for minutes leading to an expected summer departure, a move within La Liga had seemed a plausible outcome.

Atletico had previously registered concrete interest in Casado during the January and summer 2025 transfer windows, viewing him as a potential reinforcement for their engine room. However, the player was reluctant to leave Barcelona at that time. The Catalan publication now reports that, under the guidance of interim sporting director Mateu Alemany, Atletico have opted against reviving their pursuit this year.

This development also has implications for Barcelona's own transfer strategy. Sport notes that Casado will no longer be considered a potential makeweight in any deal to bring Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez to Barcelona. The two clubs have been linked with discussions over the Argentine international in recent months, but a separate path for Casado's exit must now be found.

The shift in Atletico's plans appears to be driven by a change in recruitment focus. The club, with Alemany now influential, has identified Atalanta's Brazilian midfielder Ederson dos Santos as its primary target. Negotiations have already been initiated with the Italian side in an attempt to fend off interest from several Premier League clubs, though an agreement is yet to be reached.

For Casado, the search for a new club continues. His breakthrough season demonstrated his capability at the top level, making him an attractive prospect for many sides seeking a technically-gifted, homegrown midfielder. However, with a major domestic suitor now out of the picture, a move abroad appears an increasingly likely scenario for the Spaniard as Barcelona look to streamline their squad.