Flick’s Barcelona call sparks transfer doubts over Casado and Bardghji

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has left Marc Casado and Roony Bardghji out of the squad for the club’s pre-season trip to Italy, a decision that appears to signal they are not part of his plans for the 2026-27 campaign.

The Catalan club travelled to Udine to take part in the inaugural Friuli Venezia Giulia Cup, a three-team tournament being staged at the Bluenergy Stadium. Barcelona are due to face Italian side Udinese and English club Nottingham Forest as part of their preparations for the new season.

Ronald Araujo was also absent from Flick’s travelling group, with the Uruguay defender reportedly close to joining Liverpool on loan after rapid negotiations, according to Catalan newspaper Sport.

Araujo missed the World Cup because of injury and had continued with his rehabilitation programme. He was not involved in Barcelona’s previous match against Birmingham City either, but had been expected to feature in Udine.

His potential move to Anfield has now prevented that appearance, with an official announcement on the deal expected within hours.

Araujo visited the Joan Gamper Sports City on the morning of Barcelona’s departure to collect his belongings and say goodbye to his team-mates.

However, he was not the only player left behind. Casado and Bardghji were also omitted from the trip by Flick, in what has been interpreted as a clear indication that both players should look for new clubs during the remainder of the summer transfer window.

Barcelona sporting director Deco held talks with Christian Emil, Bardghji’s representative, at the Joan Gamper Sports City on Friday morning. The meeting was understood to have focused on finalising the Swedish player’s departure from the club.

Bardghji’s agent was seen inside Barcelona’s facilities before leaving, while Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that the 20-year-old would not remain with the Catalan side.

Jofre Torrents was another absentee from the journey to Udine. The defender is nearing a permanent move to Ajax Amsterdam and is expected to sign a four-year contract with the Dutch club.

Sport reported that Casado and Bardghji knew they were unlikely to continue at Barcelona, but were not aware that Flick would exclude them from the squad for the Italian tournament. The decision was reportedly made shortly before the team left for the airport and came as a surprise to both players.

The newspaper added that the two players did not react to the development in the same way, despite already understanding that their futures at Barcelona were uncertain.

Barcelona’s trip forms part of their preparations for the 2026-27 season, but the selection decisions surrounding Araujo, Casado and Bardghji have also provided an early indication of the squad changes that could take place before the summer transfer window closes.