Atletico Madrid Withdraw Interest in Barcelona Midfielder Marc Casado

Marc Casado, a midfielder for Barcelona, appears poised for a summer departure from the club. While his exit from Spanish football was considered likely, one potential suitor, Atletico Madrid, has now decided to withdraw their interest.

The 22-year-old Casado experienced a significant rise at Barcelona last season, transitioning from a near-certain departure to a regular starter during the first half of the campaign. He was among the top performers under Hansi Flick in his initial year. However, this season, Casado has seen fewer opportunities, with players like Marc Bernal, Frenkie de Jong, and Gavi ahead of him in the midfield pecking order. It is understood that he is seeking more playing time, which suggests an exit this summer.

Atletico Madrid End Pursuit of Marc Casado

Casado was previously linked with Atletico Madrid in January and again in the summer transfer windows as the club sought to bolster their central midfield. At that time, Casado was reportedly hesitant to leave. Recent reports from Sport indicate that Los Rojiblancos are no longer interested in signing Casado this summer. The Catalan publication also suggests that this development removes the possibility of Barcelona using Casado as a bargaining chip in their potential bid to sign Julian Alvarez.

Atletico Madrid Focus Shifts to Ederson dos Santos

Interestingly, former Barcelona Sporting Director Mateu Alemany, who has since taken on an interim role, was involved in Atletico's interest in Casado before they decided against the move. It appears Alemany's primary midfield target for strengthening the squad is Atalanta's Ederson dos Santos. Negotiations with Atalanta have reportedly commenced in an effort to secure his signature ahead of Premier League clubs, although a deal has yet to be reached.