Chelsea Told the Fee To Buy Barcelona Star
Barcelona’s highly-rated Midfielder Marc Casadó has become the latest name to pop up on Chelsea’s transfer radar. It has not taken long for the Catalan club to draw a line. If the Premier League side wants to bring him to Stamford Bridge this summer, they’ll need to pay up to €50 million, to be exact.
That figure is well above what most clubs would expect for a player with Casadó’s current profile, with his estimated market value hovering around €30 million. Barcelona is not desperate to sell. They have made it clear that unless a serious offer lands on the table, Casadó isn’t going anywhere. His contract runs until 2028, and he still has a €100 million release clause, so the leverage is definitely on Barca’s side.
Still, things aren’t so black and white. While they do rate Casadó highly, the reality at Camp Nou is that opportunities in midfield are growing thinner. And as tough financial realities continue to hit the club, they’re open to letting go of talented players if the price is right.
A La Masia Talent Caught By Chelsea
It’s been an up-and-down year for Casadó. The 21-year-old started the 2024–25 season brightly, breaking into the senior team and making 36 appearances across all competitions. For a while, it felt like he had carved out a meaningful role. But when Frenkie de Jong returned from injury in February, Casadó’s minutes started to dry up after he picked up an injury that disrupted his rhythm.
To make things even more competitive, Marc Bernal, another La Masia graduate, has been earmarked by new Manager Hansi Flick as a long-term midfield solution. Bernal’s now back from a serious knee injury, and Flick seems intent on giving him regular minutes in the upcoming campaign. With big names like Pedri, Gavi, and De Jong all competing for starting spots, Casadó finds himself in a tough place. He’s good enough to be playing every week, but maybe not in this stacked Barcelona midfield.
Chelsea Is Watching Closely, But Is not Alone
Chelsea’s interest in Casadó feels like part of a pattern. Over the past few years, the club has shifted toward recruiting younger players who can be developed under long-term contracts. Casadó, with his tactical discipline and defensive intelligence, fits that mold perfectly.
But they’re not the only ones sniffing around. Reports out of Spain suggest Atlético Madrid have also made inquiries about the youngster’s availability. Whether they’re as serious as Chelsea remains to be seen, but both clubs could fight it off in a valuation of around €50 million. Despite the rumors, the biggest question mark might not come from the clubs but Casadó himself.
He’s been at Barcelona since the age of 13 and has spoken often about his love for the club. According to Sport, Casadó told those around him he did not want to leave. Unless a move truly excites him, both on and off the pitch, it’s hard to see him pushing for an exit. Sources say his “100% priority” is to stay and fight for his place at Barça.
A Difficult Decision To Come
Casadó has just come off a breakout season, during which he proved he could easily handle being on the first team. But at the same time, staying at Barcelona might mean settling for bit-part roles and watching others leapfrog him in the pecking order.
If Chelsea decides to table a €50 million offer, Barcelona would seriously consider it. While it would take something unique to convince Casadó to switch Camp Nou for West London, it’s not entirely out of the question. After all, Chelsea can offer long-term backing and a Premier League platform that’s hard to ignore, but can they provide regular minutes? That’s a question he has to consider. For now, the Premier League giants know what they need to do if they want to bring Casadó to the Bridge. Whether they make that call or he picks it up remains to be seen.
