Barcelona Transfer News: Geoffrey Kondogbia, Paulinho, Marco Verratti Rumours

Barcelona have reportedly made contact with Inter Milan midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia with hopes of recruiting the Frenchman should they fail in their attempts to sign Marco Verratti or Paulinho.

Paris Saint-Germain star Verratti has been speculated as a priority signing for the Blaugrana, but Goal's Nizaar Kinsella wrote Kondogbia would be seen as a backup option for the Catalan powerhouse.

Kinsella suggested new deals for the MSN trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar have stunted the club financially, but their desire to add new steel in midfield means Kondogbia could be viewed as a cost-effective alternative.

The apparent interest in Kondogbia is a surprise given his career has been on something of a downward slope in Milan, struggling to hit the expectations placed on him during stints at Sevilla and AS Monaco.

The 24-year-old was once seen as a potential gem in the France engine room, but Kondogbia made just 20 starts for the Nerazzurri in Serie A last season, although he's not the only Inter player struggling for form of late.

One must assume new Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde therefore still believes the midfielder can recapture the potential once exhibited in La Liga and Ligue 1, as Bleacher Report's Adam Digby teed him up as one of numerous stars in the Inter squad:

However, it's mentioned Barca still "remain a long way" from sealing any move for Kondogbia, with the club likely to cling on to the slightest hope of landing key target Verratti for as long as possible this summer.

Andres Iniesta will turn 34 at the end of next season, and question already abound as to how long he can compete at the top level, with Goal's Ben Hayward looking to Verratti as the most logical solution to Barca's concerns:

Kondogbia and Verratti are themselves a long way apart in terms of playing style, with the latter likely far more capable of adapting to Barca's pass-oriented approach, while the former relies more on physicality to get his way.

Marca writer Chris Winterburn recently spoke of Barcelona and indeed Messi's own desire to see the side's midfield options strengthened ahead of Valverde's maiden campaign at the helm:

The fact Kondogbia isn't the only Nerazzurri star to have experienced woes at the San Siro in recent seasons suggests there may be talent there worth nurturing, which he exhibited en route to an Under-20 World Cup win with France in 2013.

Still just 24 years of age, Barcelona may have the environment needed to facilitate the next step in his evolution, but they'll need to give up on races for both Verratti and Paulinho before that transfer will materialise.