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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Barca no longer pursuing Kimmich</li><li>Casado has taken giant leaps under Flick</li><li>Club believe in the youngster's potential</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Barcelona pull out of Joshua Kimmich race following rise to prominence of La Masia star

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<p>Marc Casado has taken everyone by surprise due to his sheer composure on the ball and his innate game-reading ability as a holding midfielder and his rise to prominence under new coach Hansi Flick has led Barcelona to end their pursuit of Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich, per a report from El Nacional (h/t <a href="https://www.fcbarcelonanoticias.com/en/transfers/marc-casado-truncates-the-possible-signing-of-joshua-kimmich-by-fc-barcelona_308288_102.html" target="_self">FC Barcelona Noticias</a>).</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Flick arrived at Barcelona ahead of the 2024-25 season with the club in dire straits. However, he immediately identified the La Masia duo of Marc Bernal and Casado as the players to reinforce the midfield, with first-team stars such as Gavi, Fermin Lopez, and Frenkie de Jong on the sidelines at the start of the season.</p><p>Casado was initially overlooked in favour of the highly-rated Bernal, but a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-in/lists/heartbreak-for-marc-bernal-barcelona-fear-will-miss-majority-of-season-suspected-acl-injury-rayo-vallecano/bltbd882c8887295ef8" target="_self">long-term injury to the latter</a> opened the door for the former to stake his claim.</p><p>It is no secret that the Blaugrana were desperate to acquire the services of Kimmich this past summer and just last week the German midfielder himself <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-in/lists/you-should-never-rule-anything-out-joshua-kimmich-opens-door-barcelona-transfer-ahead-bayern-munich-champions-league-showdown/blt2415e73f0fb68d46#csa78155559dc98675" target="_self">hinted at a potential move to Barcelona</a> with his contract expiring in June 2025.</p><p>That option now seems to be off the table, as Barca are placing their bets on the 21-year-old Casado over Kimmich, who'll turn 30 in February.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>While Casado has an underrated vision and possesses incredible technical ability, he has surprisingly never scored a goal for either Barcelona's first team or their reserve side Barcelona B. </p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>Kimmich and Casado will be back in action for their respective sides this weekend. Bayern will host fourth-placed Union Berlin in a riveting Bundesliga contest on Saturday, November 2, while Barcelona are scheduled to play Espanyol at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys a day later. </p>

WHAT NEXT FOR JOSHUA KIMMICH AND MARC CASADO?

Barcelona pull out of Joshua Kimmich race following rise to prominence of La Masia star | Goal.com South Africa

Barcelona have decided to no longer pursue the signing of Joshua Kimmich, thanks to Marc Casado&apos;s rise to prominence under new coach Hansi Flick.