Barcelona Transfer News: Thiago Silva Reveals Marquinhos Contact Amid Rumours

Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva has confirmed Marquinhos is a transfer target for La Liga giants Barcelona but claimed several other elite European sides are also keen to sign the youngster.

The Brazil centre-back went on to criticise his team-mate's representatives for their management of the 21-year-old former Roma defender's disjointed career so far, per Sport.

Following his transfer to PSG, Marquinhos' role has predominantly been as back-up for Silva and his international colleague, David Luiz, but his club captain admitted there are long-term admirers.

Per Sport, he told reporters:

"

The situation with Marquinhos is difficult. He's a player with great qualities and he has the chance to play for all the big clubs in Europe. It's the reason why Barcelona and other clubs have been in contact. But, in this story, the mistake is by his management (Giuliano Bertolucci and Roberto Calenda). They transferred [Luiz] to Paris leaving two players from the same agency in competition. And the third central defender is the captain of the team. Which is me.

"

Christophe Ena/Associated Press

PSG'sUEFA Champions League round-of-16 opponents Chelsea and Manchester United are both interested in the Brazilian's services, per Charles Perrin of the Daily Express, with speculation earlier in February suggesting the two English sides were preparing to battle it out for the €45 million rated centre-half, per Mundo Deportivo's Roger Torello (h/t Sport Witness).

PSG manager Laurent Blanc himself admitted, per Sport, that the dilemma over Marquinhos' future could not go on much longer and suggested a decision either way would be made at the end of the current campaign.

He told reporters: "You have to think that this situation, in which he is not an indisputable starter, cannot go on eternally. At the end of the season we will have to take a decision and we will take it."

Marquinhos, who has picked up nine international caps, per Soccerway, has been praised for his ongoing conduct by Silva, who admitted to Sport he would not have handled the situation quite as well.

"Luckily, Marquinhos is a good guy," he said. "But I would have reacted negatively. He must continue working hard and see what is decided in the summer."

With two expensive—and more experienced—South American defenders ahead of him in the pecking order, Marquinhos may have to remain patient and wait for his time to shine at the Parc des Princes. The talent of the ex-Corinthians defender is undoubtable, but whether he'll remain in Paris for much longer certainly is.