Barcelona Transfer News: Marco Verratti Offer 'Imminent,' Top Blaugrana Rumours

Barcelona are reportedly set to make an "imminent" offer of €70 million (£61.5 million) to Paris Saint-Germain for their midfielder Marco Verratti.

According to AS (h/t Football Italia), the Blaugrana are ready to step up their interest in the Italy international and may make the offer as early as Monday.

It's added PSG will seek to recoup around €80 million (£70 million) for Verratti, who is said to be keen on making the move to the Camp Nou.

Per Football Italia, reports have surfaced suggesting Verratti has turned down an offer of a lucrative contract extension from the French giants.

As we can see, recent quotes from the Azzurri star suggest he's grown a little frustrated at the Parc des Princes:

For a player of his style, poise and precision, Barcelona would be especially appealing. It's easy to see the 24-year-old being dropped into the hub of the Blaugrana side and blossoming.

Since becoming a PSG player, Verratti has made steady progress and has evolved into the linchpin that ties together one of Europe's most effective teams. His close control is supreme, his passing range is varied and his awareness is unrivalled.

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Those traits are cherished at the Camp Nou, and if Barcelona are seeking to sign an heir to the imperious Andres Iniesta, Verratti is among the best candidates in world football.

These figures from Squawka Football show why:

The Blaugrana's midfield, usually an area of such strength, lacked impetus and industry last season, with Iniesta hampered by injuries, Ivan Rakitic struggling for form and Andre Gomes failing to adapt after his transfer. Verratti would fix a lot of those issues.

Still, Barcelona need to convince PSG to cash in before any deal does go ahead. And given the influence the pint-sized playmaker has on this outfit, it would be no shock whatsoever to see the Ligue 1 giants dig their heels in deep to resist any pursuit.

Barcelona Want €25 million Paulinho

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According to Sport's Joaquim Piera, Barcelona would be ready to part with as much as €25 million (£22 million) to sign Guangzhou Evergrande midfielder Paulinho this summer.

It's noted in the report that the Brazilian is "not a Plan B" for the Blaugrana, as he's viewed as someone who could stiffen up the Barcelona midfield. The La Liga side are said to be wary Guangzhou will demand a bid of €40 million (£35 million) is lodged to trigger Paulinho's buyout clause.

Sport Witness relayed how the story was covered in the newspaper:

The interest from Barcelona does come as a surprise. After all, during his time with Tottenham Hotspur between 2013 and 2015, Paulinho really struggled to make an impact.

Still, he's impressed consistently with the Selecao and performed well in the Chinese Super League since his move. Even so, the man himself said he isn't sure he'd jump at the chance to make the switch:

Paulinho would bring physicality, drive and work rate to the middle of the park. Those are attributes that were lacking in the middle third last term for Barcelona, especially as Juventus and PSG took them apart in the UEFA Champions League.

Nonetheless, there are plenty of other players in La Liga and around the world capable of adding these sorts of traits who are more suited to Barcelona's classic mantras. Spending the amount noted on Paulinho would leave plenty of Cules scratching their heads.