West Ham launch Marc Casado bid after Barcelona stance revealed
West Ham are hopeful of landing Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado this summer.
The Hammers are keen to add a midfielder to Graham Potter’s options before the window shuts, and West Ham have also made an approach for Chelsea man Andrey Santos.
West Ham have attempted to sign Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes, but have made little progress in negotiations for the 21-year-old so far.
Barcelona have reportedly set a £25.8million price tag for Casado, which would make the deal more feasible for the Hammers.
West Ham bid for Marc Casado ‘unlikely to be successful’
Casado has emerged amongst Barcelona and Spain’s brightest sparks over the past two years.
After graduating from the iconic La Masia academy, the midfielder was handed his debut in the Champions League in 2022.
And the season following saw Casado start to feature in La Liga, too, eventually becoming one of Hansi Flick’s most-trusted operators at the base of the midfield last season.
A ligament injury suffered in March has changed the 21-year-old’s situation slightly, however, with the Spain international failing to make it off the bench in the four remaining league games after his return.
| Marc Casado | La Liga 2024/25 |
| Appearances | 23 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 3 |
The same could be said of Barcelona’s season opener against RCD Mallorca on Saturday, 16 August, with Flick electing to start Frenkie de Jong and bring Gavi off the bench.
Casado will also have to contend with the return of Marc Bernal, who missed almost all of last season after injuring his knee, but is viewed among the club’s most talented midfielders.
Barcelona would not stand in Casado’s way if he were to accept a move away, and West Ham are attempting to give him that chance.
Jacob Steinberg reported on 20 August that the Hammers made a bid for the Spaniard on Tuesday, but that it is “unlikely to be successful”.
Where would Marc Casado play for West Ham?
In West Ham’s Premier League opener, and in much of pre-season, Potter has selected to start with a two-man midfield.
Against Sunderland, it was James Ward-Prowse and Guido Rodriguez, but the latter is expected to leave before the transfer window shuts.
| Graham Potter’s options in midfield |
| Edson Alvarez |
| Tomas Soucek |
| Guido Rodriguez |
| James Ward-Prowse |
| Andy Irving |
| Freddie Potts |
Casado’s ability on the ball and slight frame would indicate the need for a more physical presence next to him, with Tomas Soucek perhaps the best candidate to partner him.
Alternatively, the arrival of two new midfielders could see West Ham line up with a completely changed selection in the middle of the park, which may well be what Potter would opt for.
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