How Marc Casado could help Barcelona keep Joao Cancelo
The midfielder is wanted in Saudi Arabia.
BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 18: Marc Casado of FC Barcelona celebrates his team's second goal scored by Ronald Araujo (not in picture) during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Girona FC at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on October 18, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images) | Getty Images Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado is once again being linked with a move to Saudi Arabia amid a lack of starts at the Camp Nou and the fact that the rumor mill is working overtime as it’s the international break. The latest update comes from Mundo Deportivo and claims that Casado could come in handy as Barcelona try to prise Joao Cancelo from Al-Hilal’s clutches.
Barca want Cancelo to stay past the end of his current loan , but Al-Hilal are thought to want around €15 million for the Portugal international. And that’s where Casado comes into the equation. MD report that if Al-Hilal decide they want Casado, who is valued at €20m, a deal could potentially be done involving both players.
Obviously it remains to be seen if Casado is willing to move to the Middle East. He’s previously said he’d love to spend his entire career at Barcelona but knows that he’s facing a real battle for minutes given the quality options in the squad Meanwhile, there has previously been speculation that he could be tempted by a “round trip” to Saudi Arabia. It’s a journey that’s been made before with players such as Gabri Veiga and Aymeric Laporta having played in the Saudi Pro League and then returned to Europe.