Besiktas chase Barcelona prodigy as €20m price tag looms

Besiktas have reached out to super‑agent Jorge Mendes to explore a summer move for 22‑year‑old Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado, as the Turkish club looks to bolster its midfield before pre‑season begins in mid‑July. Barcelona have set a minimum fixed fee of €20 million for the La Masia graduate, preferring a permanent sale to resolve his future ahead of the new campaign.

Besiktas sporting director Eduard Graf, a former chief scout at Borussia Dortmund, has long admired Barcelona’s academy and sees Casado as a player who can provide responsibility and regular minutes in Istanbul. The club’s recent strategy shift includes adding young talent capable of competing at an important level, making the midfielder a target for their upcoming season.

Under Hansi Flick, Casado has lost prominence this season, prompting him to consider leaving Barcelona in search of more playing time. The midfielder has openly indicated that minutes will be difficult in Flick’s project, reinforcing his desire to move where he can continue to grow.

Barcelona’s insistence on a permanent transfer aligns with their need for pure profit from a home‑grown player, as the club aims to balance its accounts after a busy summer of departures. The €20 million price tag would represent a useful sale for the Catalan club, given Casado’s status as a La Masia product.

Milan have also been linked with Casado, but reports suggest any deal would likely involve a loan with an option to purchase rather than an outright sale. Saudi clubs are testing the market, yet the midfielder has expressed a preference to remain in Europe rather than join a Gulf side.

Besiktas’ good relationship with Barcelona, reinforced by Graf’s previous interest in Catalan talents, could smooth negotiations. Photographs accompanying the report were taken by Angel Martinez and Juan Manuel Serrano Arce, highlighting the media attention surrounding the potential transfer.

Ultimately, the decision rests with Casado, who must be convinced that Istanbul offers the right environment for his next career stage. Convincing him will require Besiktas to present a concrete offer that guarantees regular game time and a competitive setting.

With pre‑season looming, the Turkish side must finalize its approach quickly to beat competing interests and secure the midfielder before July. If Besiktas can translate interest into a firm proposal, the move could satisfy both Barcelona’s financial aims and the player’s ambition for consistent minutes.