With an eye on the preseason ahead of the 2025/26 season, the coach of FC Barcelona has a complex situation ahead: the overpopulation in the midfield.
However, coach Hansi Flick is in charge of the 'overbooking' in the medullary zone and, although he has fixed and untouchable players, he would also be willing to open the doors to someone, as long as the transfer is beneficial for both Barça and the player, according to reports.
In that sense, if there are players who will surely not leave, those are Pedri González and Frenkie de Jong, who is expected to renew his contract soon, pending a meeting with the Barça sports summit
Now, the question is that, in addition to those two midfielders, the technical director will also have Gavi, Fermín López, Dani Olmo, Marc Casadó, Marc Bernal and Oriol Romeu, who is one of those chosen to leave. Raphinha could also be added as an option for the attacking midfielder.
Fermín López and Marc Casadó arouse interest in Europe: Will there be surprise departures at Barça?
In the middle of July and with the summer transfer market in full swing, in the offices of Camp Barça they are aware that anything can happen, and both Fermín López and Marc Casadó are wanted by several European teams.
With Bernal finishing recovering from the injury that kept him away from the fields since matchday 3 of the 24/25 season, Casadó, who already lost his place to Frenkie de Jong in the second part of the season, could lose much more prominence.
Therefore, several clubs, including Bayer Leverkusen and Atlético de Madrid, have sounded out the player. The German team, according to recent rumors, submitted an offer of 30 million euros between fixed and variables for Casadó, which would have been rejected by Barça because they want at least about 50 'kilos'.
However, although the '17' could change his mind, until now he would want to stay in the Blaugrana team and fight for a place in the starting XI. He is also of interest to Liverpool, Napoli and Manchester United.
On the other hand, Fermín López, who must fight for the attacking midfielder position with Dani Olmo or Gavi, would also face a complex scenario; although Flick would have blocked his departure, Chelsea, Al-Ahli, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain have asked about the player.
Likewise, the '16' of Barça would be willing to stay and also fight for a place in the team. However, the Blaugrana team would only listen to offers for the midfielder from €80M.
Fermín closed the season with 8 goals and 10 assists in 46 games (2,039 minutes), while the Sant Pere de Vilamajor player contributed 1 goal and assisted in 6 opportunities in 36 matches (2,447'). Despite the players' desire, no one could assure him continuity, taking into account that Barcelona needs to reduce the wage bill to get closer to the 1/1 rule and be able to register the new incorporations.
Raphinha, another option for the midfield
Another player who could join the midfield, specifically the attacking midfielder, is Raphinha. The Brazilian '11', in case a player arrives to cover the left wing, could be used for that demarcation.
Flick believes that 'Rapha' has the qualities to be a differential player in that position, taking advantage of his great speed and ability to sustain high pressure.
In this order of ideas, this option could become a reality, since the board of the culé team is interested in both Marcus Rashford as in Luis Díaz, Ademola Lookman and Antonio Nusa to cover the wing.
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