Barcelona Transfer News: Marquinhos Reportedly Seeks PSG Exit, Latest Rumours

Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos could be set to depart the French capital in search of more playing time, and Barcelona are hoping to be the club to take advantage by capturing the Brazilian in January.

According to Football Espana, Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo reported that due to playing second fiddle to first-choice centre-back duo David Luiz and Thiago Silva, the 21-year-old is seeking the exit door in Paris.

His agents, who had contact with Barcelona prior to the 2014 World Cup, have informed the Catalan giants of his desire to leave.

The report names Barca's other defensive targets as Everton's John Stones, Sassuolo's Sime Vrsaljko, Atletico Madrid’s Jose Gimenez and Athletic Bilbao's Aymeric Laporte.

The Blaugrana will be free to sign players again in January, and technical director Robert Fernandez is hopeful at least one name will be added to their roster, aside from summer acquisitions Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal.

According to Marca's Xavi Hernandez, who notes that president Josep Maria Bartomeu has promised a January signing for manager Luis Enrique, Fernandez said: "Our wage bill is something we have to take into consideration, but there are solutions. We have enough time and space to work on signing new players ahead of the January transfer window."

Michel Euler/Associated Press

Marquinhos, like the other defenders on the list, would be a strong signing for Barca.

The youngster demonstrated his solid ability to make tackles and win balls in the air last season, winning 53 per cent of his attempted tackles and 61 per cent of his headed duels according to Squawka.

WhoScored.com also illustrates his exceptional distribution:

His ability to play passes and keep possession will see him fit in well at the Camp Nou, who could use defensive reinforcement. Javier Mascherano is now 31, while Thomas Vermaelen is prone to injury and Jeremy Mathieu isn't overly convincing as a centre-back.

French football expert Matt Spiro believes Marquinhos was PSG's best defender last season:

However, the Brazilian is restricted to a squad role by his compatriots and has started just four of their nine Ligue 1 matches this season.

Bleacher Report columnist Jonathan Johnson believes his inability to break into the side lies not in defence though, but in midfield:

Despite turning 33 in August, Thiago Motta remains an important part of Les Parisiens' side. As Johnson notes, his form is preventing Luiz from moving there and freeing up a defensive space for Marquinhos.

Should Motta suffer an injury or a drop in form, though, the Brazilian could well find himself back in the team regularly and more wiling to stay at the Parc des Princes.

Barca will always be a tempting prospect, so it's impossible to rule out a move for him regardless.

If he does go, expect them to pay a premium for the youngster, just as they will have to in order to land the majority of their other targets.