Al Hilal move for Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado stalls over €40m valuation

The future of Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado remains unresolved after talks with Al Hilal became stuck over the Spanish club’s valuation of the 22-year-old.

Al Hilal have already made an approach for Casado, but Barcelona rejected the offer in July. Negotiations have continued since then, although the two clubs remain some way from reaching a final agreement.

The main disagreement concerns the transfer fee. According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona want more than €30m for the midfielder and are hoping to move closer to €40m. Al Hilal, however, are not prepared to meet that higher figure, leaving the proposed deal in a state of deadlock.

Talks between Al Hilal and Casado have progressed significantly on personal terms. There is understood to be a good understanding between the player and the Saudi club, but any agreement with him remains dependent on the two teams resolving their differences over the transfer fee.

Al Hilal’s proposal is currently the most serious offer on the table, despite the continuing financial impasse with Barcelona. No final agreement has been reached, and the negotiations cannot advance unless the clubs narrow the gap in their respective valuations.

Casado is also attracting interest from several European leagues, a prospect viewed positively by the Barcelona academy graduate. Clubs from Serie A, the Bundesliga and the Premier League are monitoring his situation closely, although none of them has submitted an official offer so far.

That interest gives Casado alternative options while Barcelona and Al Hilal continue to negotiate. For now, though, Al Hilal remain the only club to have made a concrete move for the player.

Barcelona’s decision to reject the initial approach reflects their desire to secure a fee above €30m, with a figure approaching €40m seen as the preferred outcome. Al Hilal’s reluctance to match that valuation has prevented the transfer from reaching its final stages.

The midfielder’s personal discussions with Al Hilal have therefore moved faster than the negotiations between the clubs. Yet, without an agreement between Barcelona and Al Hilal, those talks cannot result in a completed transfer.

Casado’s position remains under review as interest from Italy, Germany and England develops. European clubs have not made formal bids, but their attention ensures that Al Hilal’s pursuit is not taking place without competition.

For the moment, the deal remains frozen. Al Hilal have shown the strongest intent, while Barcelona continue to stand by a valuation that the Saudi club has so far been unwilling to meet.