Barcelona Transfer News: Latest on Neymar and Marco Verratti Rumours

Neymar has reaffirmed his commitment to Barcelona amid rumours of a possible move to Premier League side Manchester United in the summer.

Speaking to Spanish publication El Mundo Deportivo (h/t ESPN FC's Adriana Garcia), Neymar stated he remains committed to a future at the Camp Nou: "My dream was to play at Barca. When I was a boy that was all I wanted. And the most important thing about playing for Barca is that I'm making my childhood dream come true."

Looking ahead, the Brazilian forward expressed his belief that fellow attacker Lionel Messi will also stay in Barcelona: "Messi will renew because he is Barca and Barca is Messi."

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Keeping Neymar and Messi together is naturally vital to Barcelona's hopes of success in the future. It's a hope set to be tested by United's spending power, according to recent reports.

Spanish publication Sport (h/t Jack Rathborn of ESPN FC) said the Red Devils are prepared to pay Neymar's release clause worth €200 million. The reports also detailed how United plan to offer the striker a contract paying £415,000 per week to convince him to move to Old Trafford.

It's not the first time the idea of Neymar joining the Premier League has been mooted recently. In fact, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte was said to have blocked a move to sign Neymar, despite the Blues having had a deal worth £155.5m in place, according to Italian source Tuttosport (h/t TalkSport).

However, Neymar's latest comments sound like those of a player committed to his current club. Barca certainly need to keep the dynamic 25-year-old, since he represents the future for the five-time UEFA Champions League winners.

Barcelona Eager to Sign Marco Verratti

Barca are reportedly "extremely keen on Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti," with the Italian maestro seen as a natural replacement for former midfield general Xavi Hernandez.

A report from Goal correspondents Ignasi Oliva, Nizaar Kinsella, Alberto Pinero and Romeo Agresti has detailed how Verratti's future in the French capital is unclear. Barca are watching closely and are ready to move in this summer, per the report: "Barca believe they would have to pay around €80m to prise Verratti from the Parc des Princes club."

There is also better news for the Blaugrana, with Oliva, Kinsella and Co. reporting several other potential suitors have cooled their interest in Verratti. Among those backing away from the Azzurri playmaker are Premier League leaders Chelsea:

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Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is believed to be a huge admirer of Verratti but the Blues would need to sell Cesc Fabregas to justify the swoop, which they're currently unwilling to do.

Over the weekend, Verratti said he'd be happy to join a Serie A club in the future, however, Juventus' poor working relationship with PSG makes a switch to the Scudetto holders look unlikely.

Real Madrid's interest has cooled off since the departure of Verratti's compatriot Carlo Ancelotti as coach, with Zinedine Zidane already having plenty of central midfield options including Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.

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There is no doubt Verratti would be a perfect fit at the Camp Nou, where he would offer the same steady and smart distribution that defined Xavi's game. Barca have struggled to replace the latter since he left in 2015.

Manager Luis Enrique has been unable to find a midfielder capable of exerting the same calm control in matches for which Xavi became known.

It hasn't helped when Croatia international Ivan Rakitic has proved better suited to a role that lets him get forward more often. Rakitic isn't the ideal fit to be Barcelona's metronome, but players such as Andre Gomes and Denis Suarez just haven't looked capable of taking up Xavi's mantle.

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Fortunately, Verratti already has all the attributes needed to be Xavi mark II. Specifically, he's got the right mix of tenacity, vision, guile, patience and technique to dictate the flow of passing against any opposition.

Despite his talent, the 24-year-old Italian has endured some difficulties in France. They include being accused by French publication L'Equipe of partying before PSG's recent 6-1 defeat to Barca in the UEFA Champions League.

L'Equipe later issued a statement withdrawing the accusation and apologising to Verratti, an apology he accepted via his Instagram account (h/t Goal's Sacha Pisani).

If Barcelona can win the race to sign Verratti, he may be key to an overhaul of midfield ahead of next season. The Camp Nou club is also reportedly trying to convince Lyon schemer Corentin Tolisso to move this summer.

Barca are even using French defender Samuel Umtiti, a former member of Les Gones, to help swing the deal, according to Spanish publication Sport (h/t Adam Jones of Football.London).

A new-look midfield would at least have the opportunity to still supply Neymar with chances, judging by the latter's latest comments.