Al Ahli consider move for Barcelona’s Marc Casado after change in coaching staff

Al Ahli have become increasingly open to pursuing a deal for Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado following the departure of former head coach Matthias Jaissle, with the player’s future at the Catalan club also appearing less certain.

Casado was not considered an option by the Saudi Pro League club while Jaissle was in charge. However, Al Ahli’s position has changed completely since the German coach left, and the club has now begun examining the possibility of signing the Barcelona player.

Saudi journalist Khalid Al-Zahrani said Casado is represented by Portuguese agent Jorge Mendes and that Al Ahli’s sporting director Rui Pedro had presented the player to the club’s new manager.

“Marc Casado’s agent is the Portuguese Jorge Mendes. The player was never an option for Al Ahli while Matthias Jaissle was there; Al Ahli’s sporting director Rui Pedro presented him to the new coach and contact began,” Al-Zahrani said.

The possibility of Casado leaving Barcelona has also increased after he was left out of the squad for the club’s latest trip to Italy. Rony Bardghji was omitted from the travelling group as well.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick made the decision in consultation with the club’s management, according to the report. The absence of the two players has added further uncertainty over their positions at Barcelona as the club considers their futures.

Flick said deciding what happens next for Casado and Bardghji had not been straightforward. He confirmed that he had discussed both players’ situations with them at the end of the season and again during the current period.

The Barcelona manager also indicated that decisions over their futures would be made jointly by the club and the coaching staff.

“I spoke with them at the end of the season and during this period. It is not easy to decide their future, and it is a decision for the club and the coaching staff together,” Flick said.

Al Ahli’s interest forms part of wider Saudi attention around Casado. Al Hilal had previously become involved in the pursuit of the player, before Al Ahli made enquiries about the possibility of completing a deal, according to Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri.

The latest developments mean Al Ahli are now assessing Casado’s situation at the same time as Barcelona face questions over how the midfielder fits into their plans. The club’s change in stance followed Jaissle’s exit, while Casado’s omission from the Italy trip has provided an additional indication that his future at Barcelona remains unresolved.

No agreement has been reported, but Al Ahli have moved from showing no interest in Casado under Jaissle to opening communication over a possible transfer under the new coaching arrangements.