Transfer battle with Turkish top club? Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly pursuing FC Barcelona midfielder

Midfield talent Marc Casado of Barcelona could still end up in the Bundesliga in the final stages of the summer transfer window.

Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo report that Bayer Leverkusen are pushing for Casado. The report adds that the 2024 German champions, along with Besiktas, currently have the best chance of signing the holding midfielder.

Could a transfer battle between Bayer and Besiktas be taking shape? Leverkusen may hold an edge because new coach Carles Martinez previously worked as a youth coach at Barca and knows La Masia graduate Casado well. The technically gifted midfielder would also fit the style of play Martinez wants to bring to Bayer.

Casado is under contract at Barcelona until 2028, although the 22-year-old has long been considered a sale candidate. According to Mundo Deportivo, he is currently taking a very close look at where his best prospects lie. His chances of earning a regular place at Barca look slim. Last season, Casado was mostly limited to substitute appearances and he was left out of coach Hansi Flick's squad entirely for each of the first two league matches of the new campaign.

Who else besides Leverkusen and Besiktas are interested in Marc Casado?

As well as Leverkusen and Besiktas, Mundo Deportivo also name Everton and RB Leipzig as clubs interested in Casado. Both, however, are currently far less advanced than Bayer and the Istanbul side. Casado, who was also linked with Borussia Dortmund, has so far made 75 competitive appearances for Barcelona's first team, scoring one goal and providing seven assists.

Leverkusen could certainly use reinforcements after suffering a bitter 3-2 defeat away to promoted side SV Elversberg in Martinez's Bundesliga debut on Saturday.