Nottingham Forest have moved to the front of the queue for Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado, with Aston Villa and Newcastle United among the Premier League clubs now trailing in the race.
The 22-year-old is expected to leave Barcelona before the transfer window closes after falling further down the midfield pecking order. According to Fichajes, Forest are currently showing the strongest interest, while Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Sunderland have also made checks on the midfielder’s situation.
Barcelona value Casado at around €40 million, and the Spaniard is understood to favour remaining in Europe despite receiving more lucrative proposals from Saudi Arabia.
Nottingham Forest pull ahead in Casado race
Casado’s agent Jorge Mendes is actively exploring options that would give the midfielder more regular first-team football. The Premier League is believed to appeal strongly to the Barcelona academy graduate, which has given English clubs encouragement.
Nottingham Forest are currently best placed, with their interest considered more advanced than that of Aston Villa and Newcastle United. Casado has also been training away from Barcelona’s usual first-team rhythm in recent days, reportedly to reduce the risk of injury while his future is being resolved.
His absence from the squad for the league opener against Elche further suggested that Barcelona are preparing for a possible departure.
Barcelona ready to sell for €40 million
Casado remains under contract until June 2028, so Barcelona are in a strong position to negotiate. The midfielder made 33 appearances in all competitions last season, after featuring 36 times the campaign before that. However, competition has intensified significantly, particularly following the arrival of Rodri.
That has reduced the pathway to regular minutes and made a sale increasingly attractive for both club and player. Barcelona would also benefit financially from moving on an academy graduate, while freeing up space in Hansi Flick’s midfield.
Forest being ahead makes sense if they are prepared to offer Casado a central role straight away. At 22, he needs regular football more than another season of rotation at Barcelona, and the Premier League could offer exactly the platform he wants. The €40 million valuation is not insignificant, but Casado’s age, technical quality and Barcelona education make him an attractive long-term investment.
