Barcelona coach Hansi Flick eyes exits for defenders Ronald Araujo and Marc Casado

Hansi Flick, despite the 2026‑27 pre‑season not yet begun, has already outlined his defensive priorities for FC Barcelona. He considers Uruguayan centre‑back Ronald Araujo and midfielder Marc Casado surplus to requirements and is prepared to entertain offers, reportedly around €20 million, to free up funds for new signings. Flick explained that his preferred defenders need speed, reliable ball control and the ability to operate in a high line, naming players such as Pau Cubarsi, Gerard Martí and Andreas Christensen as his benchmarks.

Araujo has lost his place in the hierarchy, falling behind Cubarsi and others, while Casado is deemed physically insufficient to compete with the likes of Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi or Marc Bernal. Neither player has been officially listed as transferable, but both face an uncertain future as the club plans to reshape its squad before the upcoming campaign. Flick’s statements come after a period in which he led Barcelona to consecutive La Liga titles (2025‑26 and 2026‑27) following successful spells at Bayern Munich, underscoring his ambition to refresh the roster while maintaining competitive standards.