According to a report by Barca Universal on Tuesday May 26, 2026, Barcelona are planning to rely on their academy system to replace fringe midfielder Marc Casado if he leaves the club this summer, with no intention of signing an external replacement.
The Catalan giants are preparing for possible squad changes ahead of the new season, and Casado is among the players expected to move on after struggling to establish himself in the first team.
The young midfielder has found it difficult to secure regular minutes and is reportedly open to exploring opportunities elsewhere. Several clubs, including Saudi Arabian sides, have shown interest in offering him a lucrative deal. Despite this, Casado has also expressed loyalty to Barcelona and has not made a final decision on his future.
Barcelona’s management, however, are not planning to enter the transfer market to fill his potential departure. According to reports, the club believe their midfield is already strong enough and well covered with established options such as Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez, and Marc Bernal. Because of this depth, they see no need for an additional signing.
Casado’s situation is viewed differently because he is a homegrown player, meaning any transfer fee received from his departure would be considered pure profit for the club. This financial benefit makes his possible exit even more acceptable from Barcelona’s perspective.
Instead of bringing in a new signing, Barcelona have already identified La Masia talent Tommy Marques as the ideal internal solution. The young midfielder has impressed within the club’s youth structure and has already been involved in the first-team environment during parts of the current season.
Although Marques has only played a few minutes of competitive senior football so far, new coach Hansi Flick reportedly believes strongly in his potential. The German manager is expected to include him in the upcoming pre-season preparations.
Marques is highly rated for his technical ability and movement, with some comparisons drawn to Frenkie de Jong. De Jong himself is said to be an influence and role model for the youngster, making him a natural candidate to step into Casado’s role if needed.
