Barcelona Transfer News: Neymar Talks Lionel Messi Rumours, Marco Verratti Blow

Barcelona forward Neymar has insisted he is "sure" team-mate Lionel Messi will agree a new contract at the Camp Nou.

Messi's terms with the Blaugrana are set to expire at the end of the 2017-18 season, and speculation has gathered pace over a possible exit. However, in the aftermath of Barcelona's stunning 6-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League, Neymar gave his thoughts on the matter.

"Messi is going to renew, that is for sure," he told beIN Sports (h/t Marca). As noted in the report, Messi is said to have been offered an annual salary of €35 million (£30 million) in an attempt to keep him at the club.

Needless to say, Neymar's claim will be music to the ears of Blaugrana supporters in what has been a memorable week for the club. Their sensational win against PSG saw them overturn a 4-0 deficit from the first leg in the round of 16, with Sergi Roberto's stoppage-time strike capping off one of the greatest comebacks of all time.

Messi celebrated wildly with the supporters after the final whistle and posted the following snap on his Facebook page:

Although it was Neymar, not Messi, who was the driving force behind the Barca recovery, throughout the 2016-17 season, the Argentina man has been magnificent.

At times, he's singlehandedly dragged the Blaugrana through matches when they've been struggling, especially in La Liga. Messi may operate much deeper than he did in previous years, but he's still managed to net 38 goals for the team in all competitions this season.

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Off the pitch, Messi is a huge influence for Barcelona, too. His image is emblazoned around the stadium and the city itself, having forever linked himself to the club after so many incredible performances throughout his career. If Neymar is right, it seems as though there will be even more to come.

Marco Verratti Staying Put

PSG's director of football Patrick Kluivert has dismissed speculation linking reported Barcelona target Marco Verratti with a transfer this summer.

"Verratti is the cornerstone of our midfield and things will remain that way," the former Barca striker told Le10 Sport (h/t Aaron Flanagan of the Daily Mirror) after the team's hammering at the hands of the Blaugrana. "He is not going anywhere this year."

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According to Flanagan, the La Liga champions and Premier League leaders Chelsea have both been credited with an interest in the playmaker.

Having shone against Barcelona in the 4-0 win at the Parc des Princes, Verratti failed to have any impression on the return leg. As noted by Marca via the Barca News Forum, as PSG lost control of the contest at the Camp Nou, Verratti struggled to impose himself:

While there are still areas of his game in which he can improve, it's rare for the Italy international to be quite so anonymous. Indeed, it's easy to see why he's been linked with a move to Barcelona, as so often he's a masterful presence in midfield:

Verratti has all the attributes you'd associated with a Blaugrana midfielder. The 24-year-old is elegant with the ball at his feet, quick to anticipate pressure and is also adept at winning possession high up the pitch in a pressing setup.

PSG will be keen to keep him around for as long as possible, though. If they are to eventually overcome their Champions League hoodoo and compete with the likes of Barcelona on a regular basis, they need to be building the side around a player like Verratti, not moving him on.