PSG Transfer News: Marco Verratti Talks Barcelona Link Amid Latest Rumours

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti has admitted there was "something" in the rumours linking him with Barcelona but that he decided to stay even before the recent arrival of Neymar from the Camp Nou.

Per Sky Sport Italia (via Goal's Sacha Pisani), the 24-year-old said he is happy with his decision to remain at the Parc des Princes and rejected the idea Neymar's £200 million signing had anything to do with it:

"Barcelona? There was something, but that was as far as it went. We didn't have any other negotiations. I decided to stay on this path and I'm happy for it. Did Neymar change my mind? I did way before. I never knew that Neymar would come here."

In July, it was reported PSG were "not against the idea of selling" the Italian. Barcelona would likely have had to pay between £62 million and £88 million to sign their "main target," per Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo and French newspaper L'Equipe (via MailOnline's Luke Augustus).

Given the money they have just received for Neymar, Barca could easily afford to such a fee.

Xavi Hernandez of Marca suggested PSG could have been willing to use Verratti in negotiations to sign the Brazilian, but eventually they paid his buyout clause.

Keeping hold of Verratti can be counted among a number successes for PSG and their president, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, this summer, per AFP's Tom Williams:

He is one of the most talented deep-lying playmakers in Europe and will likely play a key role for Unai Emery's side as they look to reclaim the Ligue 1 title and make an impression in the UEFA Champions League in 2017-18.

Verratti played the full 90 minutes for PSG in their league opener against Amiens on Saturday, which they won 2-0 thanks to goals from Edinson Cavani and Javier Pastore.

It is likely rumours linking him with a move away from the Parc des Princes will re-emerge in the future. But the fact he has said he is staying is even more good news for PSG.