Hansi Flick will not make hasty decisions regarding the potential signing of a midfielder this summer. Although the German coach was one of the most interested in the board seeking to incorporate players like Joshua Kimmich or Mikel Merino into the market, the Barça's limited financial margin and the insistence on Nico Williams and Dani Olmo lead the coaching staff to consider other alternatives. within the Barcelona squad to cover the loss of Oriol Romeu.
The one from Ulldecona, as planned, will return to Girona and leaves, for the moment, a gap for a position that last season did not have an undisputed starter. The 32-year-old started 2023/24 very well, but he lost prominence at the end of 2023 and Andreas Christensen ended up winning him the starting job. Even Sergi Roberto was his forward in the final stretch of the campaign for Xavi Hernández. Now, the new culé technical staff has other alternatives from the quarry that can emulate what Fermín López achieved last summer: earning a position against all odds.
Marc Casadó and Marc Bernal, facing their great opportunity this summer
Flick opted for the duo Marc Casadó (20 years old) and Marc Bernal (17 years old) in the first friendly of the tour, against Manchester City (2-2, 4-1 p.). The youngsters did not clash against Pep Guardiola's men, showing order, character and judgment to contain the 'sky blue' attacks in a very positive first half tactically for Barça. Of the two, Casadó has the best chance of earning a place, since due to his age it is almost certain that he will not continue to be part of the reserve team.
However, Bernal also has the possibility of being a protagonist in the first team, as he is a footballer with a brutal projection. The man from Berga has a contract until 2026 and played a total of 31 games last season with Rafa Márquez's team, adding 2 goals and 5 assists. In addition to the youth players, Barça will bet heavily on two names with much more experience who left good feelings playing together in 23/24.
Christensen and De Jong, two reliable options
This is the case of Christensen and De Jong, two experienced footballers who, although they were on the list of possible transfers, have made clear to the board their desire to stay. The Dane and the Dutch looked very comfortable in the midfield, forming a tandem that gave Barça balance in the months of February and March, when the team seemed to get back on track to seek to fight for the Champions League. Arkel's physical problems in the final stretch of the season weighed heavily, but Flick will not hesitate to have both of them in his lineup again if, in the end, another pivot does not arrive. In any case, the club has defined its roadmap thinking about making a decision after the tour.