Leverkusen eye Sevilla’s Badé and Barcelona’s Casado in transfer push

Bayer Leverkusen, the 2023-24 Bundesliga champions, have reportedly inquired about Sevilla’s Loïc Badé, a 25-year-old defender who joined the La Liga club in January 2023. 

Badé, born in Sèvres, France, has one senior cap for France and won a silver medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics. He played a key role in Sevilla’s 2023 UEFA Europa League triumph, their record seventh title.

Despite Sevilla’s close brush with relegation last season, finishing just above Léganes, Badé’s 70+ La Liga appearances and contract until 2029 make him a prime target. 

His loan spell at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League ended early in 2023, but his stock remains high, with multiple clubs vying for his signature.

Leverkusen’s interest extends beyond Badé to Barcelona’s Marc Casado, a versatile midfielder seen as a perfect fit for their ambitious project under manager Erik ten Hag. 

Following their Bundesliga title two seasons ago, Leverkusen are targeting young talents capable of immediate impact.

Casado, a product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, has drawn a reported €30 million offer from Leverkusen. While his symbolic value to Barcelona complicates negotiations, the financial package could sway the Catalan club.

Badé and Casado represent Leverkusen’s strategy to bolster their squad with dynamic, high-potential players. Badé’s defensive solidity and Casado’s midfield flexibility align with the club’s vision for sustained success. 

However, pricing Casado from Barcelona, where he remains focused on pre-season, is a delicate operation due to his deep ties to the club. 

For now, uncertainty surrounds both players’ futures as Leverkusen push to secure their signatures ahead of the new season. With competition heating up, particularly for Badé, Leverkusen’s transfer activity signals their intent to remain a dominant force in European football.