Barcelona Transfer News: Marco Verratti Addresses Blaugrana Rumours, Latest Talk

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti has insisted he is happy at his current club and also denied suggestions he said it was his "dream" to play for Barcelona. 

Writing for Goal on the eve of PSG’s showdown with the Blaugrana in the UEFA Champions League, the Italy international spoke about the links to Barcelona and insisted supposed comments made by him had been misinterpreted:

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No, I do not dream of playing for Barcelona. After the game against Bordeaux, a Spanish journalist asked me a question about the club, I just explained that it was a pleasure for a club like Barcelona, ​​like Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, to show interest in me. 

These are teams that recruit only big players, so it's satisfying to hear yourself linked to them. But I will say it again: I feel very great here in Paris and I have great respect for the club. We may not be at the level of Barca, [Real] Madrid or Bayern [Munich], but we can get there soon.

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 Verratti and his PSG team-mates made a massive statement when they came up against Barcelona in their previous meeting, running riot in a 4-0 first-leg win. 

The Italian orchestrated the victory with tremendous class in the middle of the park, and Barcelona playmaker Andres Iniesta admitted to him during the game that he views Verratti as a potential heir, according to his team-mate Blaise Matuidi, per the Champions League Twitter feed:

Since his move to the Parc des Princes he’s taken his game on to new levels. The 24-year-old is the string-puller in the middle of the PSG midfield; on the ball he’s decisive and creative, while off it he’s quick to press opponents and help win possession back high up the pitch.

There are still some areas in which Verratti needs to improve, most notably in terms of his discipline on the field. However, he ticks every box for a potential Barcelona midfielder in terms of technical quality and cerebral instincts. 

Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images

As Bleacher Report UK noted after his stunning display against the La Liga side in the 4-0 win, praise was effusive for the playmaker on social media:

However, it seems as though, for now, Verratti is content with life at PSG. After all, during the win over Barcelona they looked like a team ready to challenge for the Champions League title.

The Blaugrana, by contrast, have a big rebuilding job to do, especially in midfield. Iniesta remains a key player when at his best, although injuries are creeping into the 32-year-old’s game more and more frequently. Finding a balance alongside him through the likes of Ivan Rakitic, Andre Gomes and Denis Suarez has been a challenge for manager Luis Enrique.

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Sports journalist Rafael Hernandez believes that while Verratti may be a costly acquisition for the Blaugrana, he’d be worth the outlay:

When Iniesta does eventually decide to hang up his boots, finding someone to fill that void will be near enough impossible. With no starlets pushing for starts from the La Masia academy, you sense Barcelona will have to spend big to ensure they remain a force in the middle of the park.

Naturally, Verratti would be a wonderful acquisition and a player that’d not only be a long-term solution but immediately improve the team alongside Iniesta if he was to join in the summer. 

However, with the Italian thriving and PSG playing superbly, convincing the club to sell and the player to make the switch would not be straightforward.