Flick says Barcelona’s Casado and Bardghji decisions were made with Al Ahli and Al Hilal interest in the background

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick says decisions over the futures of Marc Casado and Roony Bardghji were difficult, after the pair were left out of the club’s latest trip to Italy.

Casado has been linked with a move to the Saudi league, with reports suggesting Al Ahli and Al Hilal are both interested in signing the Barcelona midfielder. Bardghji’s omission has also been viewed as a sign that changes could be close for the two players.

Flick said he had discussed both players’ situations with Barcelona’s management on several occasions before the club decided how to proceed.

“Regarding the situation with Marc Casado, it is not easy for me. With Roony as well, it is not easy for me. But we have to make decisions, the club and I,” Flick said at a news conference on Saturday evening.

The German was speaking after Barcelona took part in a three-team friendly tournament involving Italian side Udinese and English club Nottingham Forest.

Flick said he had spoken directly to Casado and Bardghji at the end of last season and had continued those conversations during the current campaign.

“I spoke to both of them at the end of last season, and of course we also spoke during this season. We discussed their situations during the trip to England and talked about the changes that would take place,” he added.

The coach stressed that the decisions had not been taken by him alone, saying the club’s wider sporting plans had also been central to the process.

“That is how things go. I give them my advice, and they know what we think about this situation. It is not only about me, it is also about the club,” said Flick.

Casado and Bardghji were not included in Barcelona’s most recent travelling squad for the visit to Italy, increasing speculation that they could leave the club.

Flick explained that Barcelona were entering a period of significant change and needed to create opportunities for younger players, particularly those coming through La Masia.

“It is normal for there to be important changes in the team after the end of the season. You can see that today as well, we have a lot of young players, especially those coming from La Masia. So it is also important to give them space to play. That is why we made this decision,” he said.

The comments leave the next steps for Casado and Bardghji dependent on Barcelona’s discussions with the players and any potential suitors. Casado’s reported links with Al Ahli and Al Hilal provide a possible route away from the club, while Flick’s remarks indicate that both departures are being considered as part of Barcelona’s wider squad reshaping.