Besiktas has officially approached Barcelona with a request to acquire midfielder Marc Casado on loan, as reported by SPORT. This development comes as the transfer window is set to close Tuesday at midnight, and Casado has recently fallen out of favor in Hansi Flick’s plans for the season. The possibility of a deal looks encouraging as long as Casado’s representatives can agree on terms.

Details indicate that Besiktas is primarily interested in a direct loan arrangement, while Benfica has entered the fray offering a loan with an option to buy, providing a pathway for Casado to return to regular playing time with the potential for a permanent transition later. Despite exploring other options, Besiktas identifies Casado as a key target to bolster their midfield before the transfer deadline.

Details of Besiktas’ Request

Barcelona, on the other hand, aims to profit from the transfer of the 22-year-old rather than merely loaning him out. Their discussions hint at a setup akin to the Hector Fort model, which involves selling a significant portion of the player’s registration rights while still retaining some degree of control over his future.

However, the valuation of Casado is higher compared to Fort, who recently moved to Real Sociedad for €8.5 million. Casado remains under contract until 2028, and although he has been training separately from the first-team squad for most of the summer, he has not rushed to facilitate a transfer.

Barcelona Wants €40 Million for Casado

If financial considerations were Casado’s main priority, he could have already resolved the situation, as Saudi clubs effectively offered €40 million for his services, an offer he declined. Turkish football has not attracted him either due to its lack of the competitive edge he desires at this stage in his career.

This creates a challenging scenario for Barcelona, as they realize that no other club will compete with the offers presented by Saudi teams. Ultimately, they may need to accept a lesser fee than they initially anticipated for the young midfielder. Casado’s determination to remain in a competitive European league, combined with interest from the Premier League, could benefit Barcelona if they are serious about a deal similar to the Fort transfer. This would help retain the player’s value while keeping options open for the future.

With Besiktas also pursuing Casado, it remains to be seen what final decision Barcelona will make regarding his future.

According to a report from SPORT, Besiktas have now formally asked Barcelona about taking Marc Casado on loan, joining Benfica in the race for a player who has fallen outside Hansi Flick’s plans this season. 

With the transfer window closing this Tuesday at midnight, a deal now looks likely to come together in the closing hours, if Casado’s camp finds terms they consider worth accepting.

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Details of Besiktas’ request

As per the outlet, Benfica’s interest centres on a loan with an option to buy, giving Casado a route back to regular football while leaving the door open for a permanent move later. 

Besiktas, by contrast, are working on a straightforward loan and have been exploring alternatives too. Even so, Casado remains their priority target to strengthen the midfield before the deadline.

As far as Barcelona are concerned, it is known that they want to cash in on the 22-year-old rather than simply loan him out, and the structure being discussed echoes the Hector Fort model.

Besiktas want to sign Casado on loan. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

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This means selling 50 or 60 per cent of his registration rights while Barcelona retain some future control over the player. 

Unlike Fort, though, Casado’s profile commands a higher valuation than Fort’s, whose move to Real Sociedad was completed for €8.5 million.

He is under contract until 2028, and despite training away from the first-team group for most of the summer, Casado has been in no rush to force a move through. 

Barcelona want €40 million for Casado

Interestingly, if money were Casado’s priority, this situation would already be resolved, as Saudi clubs offered as much as €40 million for him, offers he turned down. 

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At the same time, Turkish football has not tempted him either, largely because it does not carry the sporting profile he is looking for at this stage of his career.

Casado is certain to leave Barcelona. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

That leaves Barcelona in a difficult state. They know no other suitor will match the numbers Saudi clubs were offering, and they will likely have to accept a smaller fee than they might have hoped for elsewhere. 

However, Casado’s insistence on staying in a competitive European league, with interest from the Premier League as well, works in Barcelona’s favour if they are serious about the Fort-style structure. 

It keeps the player, and the value tied to his future, within reach.

But with Besiktas also keen, it remains to be seen what Barcelona ultimately decide.