According to Mundo Deportivo, De Jong could be sidelined for about four months due to a right knee injury, but Barcelona's plans to sell Casado remain unchanged.

Barcelona decided to sell Casado at the end of last season. The 22-year-old has not yet found a new club and joined Flick's pre-season preparations on Monday.

The club confirmed internally that De Jong suffered a right knee injury following the World Cup. While awaiting more definitive test results, all indications suggest the Dutch midfielder could be sidelined for approximately four months.

The prospect of Barcelona losing De Jong for the opening third of the season does not affect the club's plans to sell Casado. He remains on the transfer market departure list this summer.

Despite De Jong's injury, Barcelona's midfield remains overcrowded. Flick believes he has enough players to fill the double pivot role even without Casado, including Pedri, Gavi, Bernal, Eric Garcia, Christensen, Olmo, and Fermín López, all of whom have played in this position.

Furthermore, as Mundo Deportivo reported this week, if Casado leaves, Tommy Maè, also from the academy and 19 years old, will be promoted to the first team. There is also Espart, who recently impressed as a midfielder in Spain's victorious U19 European Championship.

Flick therefore has many options beyond Casado. Barcelona has already rejected an offer below 30 million euros, their valuation for the midfielder.

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