Chelsea faces stiff competition from Arsenal when it comes to signing Marc Casado from Barcelona’s defensive midfield position as they bid for his signature this January transfer window. Chelsea have expressed great enthusiasm in making an attempt at signing him after seeing significant interest shown from Arsenal for signing him as well.
Both Premier League clubs, amongst other teams, have expressed admiration for Casado who is reported to be available. Barcelona are said to be open to negotiations for his services with an estimated price tag between EUR30-35m as they look to balance their books according to Financial Fair Play regulations.
Chelsea’s Persistent Interest in Casado
Chelsea’s interest in Casado isn’t new; the club had previously approached Barcelona during the summer with an offer for another player, Fermin Lopez, during which discussions about Casado were also initiated. Although their bid for Lopez was rejected, Barcelona seems willing to consider offers for Casado this winter.
This potential move comes at a time when Barcelona is facing financial challenges and looks to offload players to ensure compliance with financial regulations. This situation presents an opportunity for Chelsea to acquire a promising talent who could add depth to their squad.
The Potential Impact of Marc Casado at Chelsea or Arsenal
While Casado has not yet cemented his place as a first-choice midfielder at Barcelona, his addition to Chelsea could provide valuable depth behind Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. Given the injury proneness of Chelsea’s alternative options, Casado’s versatility could prove beneficial for Enzo Maresca’s side.
Arsenal sees Casado as a potential long-term replacement for Christian Norgaard, who joined from Brentford this summer but may not be seen by Mikel Arteta as long-term solution due to age and limited playing opportunities thus far.
As January’s transfer window nears, both Chelsea and Arsenal appear prepared for what should be an intense bidding war for Barcelona defender Marc Casado; an asset considered essential in any top Premier League side’s squad.