Barcelona is considering a surprising move this summer that could shake up the Spanish transfer market, as they pursue the signing of Julián Álvarez. The club’s management is exploring an innovative way to reduce the cost of the deal by including two academy players, Gavi and Marc Casado, in negotiations with Atlético Madrid. Both players are highly regarded by coach Diego Simeone.
This idea stems from a specific context: Barcelona believes the team has maintained its competitive edge despite the absence of some key players and that some names have not been decisive this season. This opens the door to deals that seemed impossible just a year ago.
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Gavi and Casado as bargaining chips
The combined value of Gavi and Casado is around €70 million, which would allow the club to offer them as part of the deal, along with approximately €30 million in cash, bringing them closer to Atlético Madrid’s valuation. Gavi has not had regular playing time due to injury, while Casado has been sidelined for tactical reasons, further strengthening the club’s position in the negotiations.
Barcelona believes the time is right to make some tough decisions: Gavi’s return from injury is uncertain, and Casado has not fully adapted to the team’s style, but he could be a perfect fit for Simeone’s project.
Simeone views the deal positively
In Madrid, the Argentine coach has begun carefully considering the offer. Simeone appreciates Gavi’s competitive spirit and believes Casado would fit into his tactical approach. For Atlético, signing two young players with great potential is an attractive option, even though they recognize that Álvarez’s departure will impact the team. They believe that replacing him with players from Barcelona will balance the situation.
The deal is not yet finalized, but it is a strong possibility. If negotiations proceed as expected, Barcelona could complete one of their biggest summer signings, acquiring Julián Álvarez in exchange for two of their most promising academy graduates.
