Manchester United are being linked with midfield reinforcements but face competition for Barcelona youngster Marc Casado
Atletico Madrid are reportedly threatening to rival Manchester United's attempts to sign Barcelona starlet Marc Casado. Diego Simeone's side are said to be in the market for midfield reinforcements following the sale of Conor Gallagher to Tottenham Hotspur.
The North London club swooped in to sign the England and former Chelsea star for £35million this month. However, according to reports in Spain, Atletico's fresh injection of funds could see them divert their attention to within La Liga and rival United.
Reports in Spain have claimed that Atletico are looking to reignite their interest in the 22-year-old after monitoring the Spainish midfielder last summer. Cascado's future at the Camp Nou is under scrutiny after finding his minutes limited under Hansi Flick, managing a series of cameo appearances in his 19 outings so far.
But he has been left frustrated with his last league outing coming in the final 11 minutes during the 2-0 win over Villarreal. The Spanish outlet has claimed that while Casado's preference, if he was to leave, would be to try his hand at football overseas, he would not snub a move to join Simeone's side.
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Therefore, United are being urged to act quickly if they're not to miss out on his services this month with the window slamming shut on February 2. The engine room could be the next position that requires an injection at Old Trafford with Manuel Ugarte's future uncertain, while Casemiro looks set to leave the club at the end of his contract in the summer.
Kobbie Mainoo has faced speculation over his future after being limited under former head coach Ruben Amorim. However, the England international was afforded his first league start of the season during Saturday's 2-0 win over Manchester City to get Michael Carrick's interim tenure off to a winning start.
Meanwhile, Flick has issued a stark warning to his players and those coming through the famous La Masia academy. The German's comments come in the wake of Dro Fernandez's looming controversial exit with the reigning France champions and Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain leading the charge to sign the 18-year-old.
He said: "If you want to play for Barca, you have to give everything...100 per cent. That’s what I want to say to everyone who is with us now or could be with us in the future. Same applies for La Masia youngsters training with the first team.
"They have to be here 100 per cent. These colours must be defended, that's what I want to see. As for the rest, I don't want them."