Spanish media reports have revealed significant developments that could alter the trajectory of Barcelona's young midfielder, Marc Casado, who appears open to the idea of a move to the Saudi Professional League during the upcoming summer transfer window. This interest stems from the limited opportunities the player is receiving with the Catalan club's first team, prompting him to seriously consider his professional future away from Camp Nou.
According to the Spanish newspaper AS, Casado, considered one of the brightest talents from the renowned La Masia academy, is frustrated by his lack of regular playing time under coach Xavi Hernandez. Despite being promoted to the first team, he faces fierce competition in midfield from world-class stars like Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, and Ilkay Gundogan, as well as the emergence of other promising talents such as Marc Bernal, making securing a starting position virtually impossible at the moment.
General context: Dori Roshan as an attractive destination for stars
The Saudi Professional League is no longer just a destination for players in the twilight of their careers; it has transformed into an ambitious sporting project aimed at attracting both established stars and promising young talents. Since Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Al-Nassr, Saudi football has witnessed a qualitative leap, followed by big names like Neymar Jr., Karim Benzema, and Sadio Mane. The new strategy pursued by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) is not limited to veteran stars but extends to promising young players, such as Spaniard Gabri Vega, who chose to join Al-Ahli Saudi over lucrative European offers—a move that sparked considerable debate and underscored the league's purchasing power and competitiveness.
The importance of the deal and its potential impact
A potential move for a player of Marc Casado's caliber, a graduate of one of the world's most prestigious football academies, to the Saudi Professional League would be a highly symbolic step. For the Saudi league, the deal would be further confirmation of its ability to compete with major European leagues in the transfer market and proof of its appeal as an environment capable of developing young players and giving them regular playing time. For Barcelona, selling the player could offer a solution to its crippling financial crisis, but it also raises questions about the club's ability to retain its young talents in the face of the lucrative financial offers coming from Saudi Arabia. For Casado himself, this move could be the perfect opportunity to launch his professional career, gain playing time he didn't find at his boyhood club, and follow in the footsteps of other players who found in the Saudi league a platform to rediscover themselves.
