€20 million fee drives Besiktas’ push for Barcelona’s Casado

€20 million was Barcelona’s opening price for midfielder Marc Casado as the summer transfer window races towards its close. The Catalan giants at Camp Nou have yet to secure his exit, while Turkish club Besiktas have stepped up pressure on both the player and his representatives. The deadline now looms.

Besiktas make formal offer

Besiktas have been among the most eager suitors since the start of the summer, – who spent twelve years heading scouting at Borussia Dortmund – admires the Barcelona school and enjoys a good relationship with the Catalan club. He first approached Casado’s agent Jorge Mendes before involving former player Deco, and Besiktas remain the only side to have lodged a formal bid.

Barcelona initially set a fee of around €20 million for Casado, but the approaching deadline has forced the club to rethink that valuation. The recent sale of Ferran Torres to Paris Saint‑Germain has already funded several of their targets, leaving the Catalans more interested in generating cash through the midfielder’s departure.

Head coach Hansi Flick has labelled Casado surplus to requirements, meaning he has no place in the Barcelona squad. The midfielder is understood to prefer a move within Europe and has ruled out a switch to Saudi Arabia, seeking a club where he can enjoy regular football again.

RB Leipzig were credited with recent interest in Casado but have since abandoned the chase, turning their attention to signing Neil El Aynaoui. Clubs in England have also been linked with the midfielder, yet none have presented a formal offer that matches Besiktas’ bid.

Wider market dynamics

Besiktas’ aggressive push reflects a wider trend of clubs exploiting surplus players as transfer windows tighten. With Barcelona looking to replenish its coffers after the Torres departure, and Turkish teams eager to add quality without breaking the bank, the Casado saga underscores how deadline pressure can reshape negotiations across Europe.

With only days left, Barcelona, agent Jorge Mendes and Casado are working to finalise a solution, and all signs point to a deal being concluded before the window shuts.