Barcelona Transfer News: Marquinhos Bid Reported for January, Latest Rumours

Barcelona have reportedly not given up on the idea of signing Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos and could launch a January move for the player. Meanwhile, Neymar has addressed rumours linking him with a move away from the Camp Nou. 

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Johnson cited reports from Brazilian outlets and French daily L'Equipe, which said Barca remain interested in the Brazilian, along with mention of just how much they're willing to offer:

That €60 million (£50.9 million) sum could be enough to tempt PSG into selling, but a departure is more difficult to envision after David Luiz made a deadline-day return to Chelsea in the summer window.

Goal's Robin Bairner noted the dilemma PSG could now face between cashing in on a very marketable asset, or retaining his talents in the pursuit of breaking into the world's elite:

Manager Unai Emery has been appointed PSG boss with the intention of finally pushing the club into the stratosphere of European competition, and Marquinhos could be a vital component in that regard.

The 22-year-old has made 119 appearances for the French titans since joining from AS Roma in the summer of 2013, but finding his place in the starting XI has been a chore at times.

Thiago Silva has been a near-constant in the starting setup, while Luiz was a previous obstacle blocking his path, as was fellow Brazilian PSG alumnus Alex, who left for AC Milan in 2014.

Metro's Chris Winterburn outlined Luiz's summer departure as a key moment in Marquinhos' PSG career, with the youngster now expected to play a much more prominent role in the club's plans:

Barca already recruited centre-back Samuel Umtiti from Lyon this past summer, but despite the France international impressing early on, LaLiga's giants may still consider more defensive recruitment in 2017.

Elsewhere, Neymar has opened up on rumours PSG and Manchester United made moves to sign him over the summer, per Alice McKeegan of the Manchester Evening News:

"

I don't see myself away from Barca. It's not something I've pictured yet.

I feel like an important part of the team and hopefully I can help them more and more. I've already said that, yes, I was in talks with many different teams and I chose to stay here, where I feel at home. As I said, I belong to Barca and I'm really happy here.

"

To say the Brazil superstar has become an "important part" of manager Luis Enrique's Barcelona setup would be a severe understatement, with the player having netted 89 goals in 143 games for the club.

Per McKeegan's report, Neymar's agent, Wagner Ribeiro, told ESPN Brazil his client even accepted a pay cut to prolong his stay at Barca, an indicator as to just how sorely he wished to remain in Catalonia.