Atletico Madrid are reportedly set to rival Manchester United in the pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado. The La Liga side have entered the market for midfield reinforcements following the £35 million sale of Conor Gallagher to Tottenham Hotspur.
According to Spanish reports, Atletico are reigniting their interest in the 22-year-old after monitoring him last summer. Casado has found first-team minutes limited under Hansi Flick, with his last league outing coming in the final 11 minutes of Barcelona's 2-0 win over Villarreal.
The Spanish outlet claims that Casado's preference, should he leave, would be to try his hand overseas, but he would not snub a move to join Diego Simeone's side. Manchester United are now being urged to act quickly if they wish to secure his services before the transfer window closes on 2 February.
United's midfield could require an injection, with Manuel Ugarte's future uncertain and Casemiro likely to depart at the end of his contract. Kobbie Mainoo, meanwhile, made his first league start of the season in Saturday's 2-0 win over Manchester City, which marked Michael Carrick's interim tenure.
Flick has issued a stark warning to his players and La Masia graduates, stating: 'If you want to play for Barca, you have to give everything...100 per cent.' His comments come amid uncertainty over several young talents at the Camp Nou.
