Barcelona Transfer News: Marco Verratti Meeting in Ibiza Reported, Fresh Rumours

Barcelona could be closing in on a deal to sign Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti following reports the player and his agent met with Blaugrana officials in Ibiza, Spain, on Wednesday.

Joan Vehils of Catalan newspaper Sport wrote Verratti and his representative, Donato Di Campli, spoke with Blaugrana director Javier Bordas for more than 30 minutes, with a summer transfer the likely topic of discussion.

The news emerges days after it was reported Verratti has already told PSG of his intent to leave the Parc des Princes this summer, and Vehils said both Verratti and Di Campli are "putting pressure on PSG to sell."

A deal is by no means close just yet, though, as PSG haven't shown a willingness to budge on their "not for sale" stance when it comes to the Italy playmaker.

As pointed out by Gianluca Di Marzio reporter David Amoyal, PSG are in no desperate need of the transfer funding and are also backed by the fact Verratti's contract isn't due to expire for another four years:

But the player's ambitions promise to be a telling factor in whether a deal gets pushed over the line, with Barcelona in the hunt for the heir to Andres Iniesta, who turned 33 in May.

The Blaugrana's midfield is in need of more world-class stars after Andre Gomes' first term at the Camp Nou was far from dazzling, Ivan Rakitic's place in the XI is no longer secure, and Arda Turan's future at the club looks uncertain.

Verratti would also be a major upgrade on the likes of Rafinha Alcantara, who has proved to be somewhat injury-prone, and Sergi Roberto, who spent last season as a makeshift right-back.

Bordas wasn't the only member of Barcelona's crew in Ibiza this week, however, and Tom Coast of Sport Witness teased arguably the biggest draw for any potential recruit as another pulling tool in Ibiza:

Natalie Evans and Marc Isaacs of the Mirror reported Lionel Messi was holidaying with Luis Suarez and former team-mate Cesc Fabregas along with their families this week, so the timing of the two appears to match up.

Verratti's initial contact with the Catalan titans brings the first tangible step in his potential summer switch, and Goal's Ben Hayward recently voiced his view the Italian should be a sole priority for his suitors:

It would take an immense offer to convince Qatari-owned PSG to sell their midfield maestro, although pressure from Verratti's side could persuade the French powerhouse a sale would be best for all parties.

Vehils described Wednesday's meeting as relaxed with a "good feeling," but those emotions could give way to something more rapturous if negotiations between the two clubs get under way.