Manchester United is reportedly preparing to pursue Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado during the upcoming summer transfer window.
The 21-year-old has established himself in the Barcelona first team during the 2024-25 season, making 33 appearances across all competitions, during which he has scored one goal and provided six assists.
Casado extended his contract last year, which is set to run until June 2028. However, there has been recent speculation regarding his future, with Chelsea reportedly interested in acquiring him.
It is believed that Chelsea expressed their interest to Barcelona last summer, and a transfer could have been feasible before the midfielder signed his new contract with the Catalan club.
As reported by Fichajes, Manchester United is also in pursuit of Casado, with the 20-time English champions intending to submit an offer for the Spanish international when the summer transfer window opens.
Man United ‘lining up’ summer move for Casado
The report indicates that Marc Bernal’s anticipated return from injury next season is likely to result in Casado being relegated in the hierarchy at Barcelona, particularly as Frenkie de Jong is also expected to regain his form during the latter part of this season.
Manchester United is reportedly ready to present an offer of £67 million, which would be appealing to Barcelona given their current financial challenges.
The midfield continues to be a concern for Manchester United, especially with the potential departures of both Christian Eriksen and Casemiro this summer, necessitating the acquisition of another player in that position.
Additionally, there is ambiguity surrounding Kobbie Mainoo’s long-term prospects, as the England international is thought to be seeking a salary of approximately £180,000 per week to agree to new terms at Old Trafford.
On another note, Manuel Ugarte excels in off-the-ball situations, and head coach Ruben Amorim is reportedly eager to secure a ball-playing central midfielder with strong defensive capabilities.
Would Casado be a good signing for Man United?
Casado plays as a holding midfielder and demonstrates exceptional skills in ball possession. In the 2024-25 season, he has recorded one goal and six assists across 33 matches for Barcelona.
His distinctive abilities could position him as an ideal partner for Ugarte in Manchester United’s midfield. However, it would be unexpected if the Red Devils were prepared to invest more than £50 million.
The decision will largely hinge on the transfer fee and Barcelona’s willingness to negotiate a sale. If the financial aspects align favorably, the Spaniard could prove to be a highly astute acquisition for the 20-time English champions.