Barcelona Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Paulinho and Marco Verratti

Barcelona have reportedly had a bid worth €20 million for former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Paulinho rejected, per a statement from the Brazilian's Chinese Super League club, Guangzhou Evergrande (h/t Goal.com).

Meanwhile, Barca have reportedly admitted defeat in their attempts to sign Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Marco Verratti. The Blaugrana feel it will be "almost impossible" to sign the Italy international, according to Sport.

A statement from Guangzhou Evergrande revealed why Paulinho won't be allowed to leave (h/t Goal): "Paulinho, having already renewed his contract in January 2017, is an important player for our club's long-term project. Therefore, our club have given a formal response to the Barcelona football club that we reject their bid for Paulinho, who is not in our transfer plan whatsoever."

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Despite rejecting the bid, the Chinese club did thank Barcelona for their interest: "We'd like to express our gratitude to Barcelona who have reserved a high degree of admiration for Paulinho."

Citing unnamed reports from China, the article from Goal also revealed how La Liga runners-up Barca wanted to pay the €20 million in instalments. Yet it appears even a payment in one lump sum won't convince Guangzhou to sell.

To many, Paulinho may seem like a strange target for Barca, particularly after the way he struggled at Tottenham following his move to the Premier League in 2013. However, those struggles haven't stopped Barcelona from pursuing the Brazilian, with Sky Sports News HQ reporting talks in June.

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In fairness, Paulinho has revived his career in recent months, according to Michael Hincks of Sky Sports: "Paulinho's move to China saw him link up with manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, who had selected him for Brazil's squad at the 2014 World Cup. 'Big Phil' made Paulinho central to his plans in China..."

Renewed faith in his talents has seen Paulinho deliver his best. On a technical level, he has all the flair and guile to be an asset in the attacking brand of football Barca are expected to play.

In particular, his late runs into the box and keen eye for goal would be an asset as Barcelona look for greater scoring potential from midfield to support their star-studded front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.

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It's worth the Blaugrana making another bid to bring the 28-year-old to the Spanish top flight this summer.

Missing out on Paulinho is a blow, but Barca are likely to rue not being able to sign Verratti more. The Camp Nou club has found PSG are determined to keep hold of the player, per Sport:

"The reality is that PSG are not budging. They are a wall, as they have been before. The name is different, this time it's Verratti, not Thiago Silva or Marquinhos; the sporting director is different, Antero Henrique; the coach is even different, Unai Emery; but Nasser Al-Khelaïfi's message is the same: the stars are going nowhere. "

As noted in the Sport report, even Verratti's own attempts to generate some movement have been met by intransigence from the Ligue 1 giants: "Barca have tried to open talks with PSG in whatever way possible. Verratti has even tried to force a move away from the club. But nothing has helped."

PSG's stance is a blow for new manager Ernesto Valverde, who could build a team around Verratti. The 24-year-old Azzurri star boasts the vision and quality in possession to suit Barca's style of play.

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A neat, steady and efficient passer between the lines, Verratti would be less the heir apparent for 33-year-old Andres Iniesta. Instead, he would be the long overdue replacement the Blaugrana have sought for former deep-lying pass-master Xavi Hernandez.

There isn't a player in Valverde's squad who can match the discipline and ability to dictate matches Xavi brought to bear. Verratti could, but PSG's reluctance to part with the burgeoning talisman of their midfield is understandable.

The club could lose Blaise Matuidi this summer, with Juventus interested, per Goal's Romeo Agresti and Loic Tanzi. Losing Matuidi's energy and Verratti's creativity would weaken PSG's midfield considerably, even after holding player Thiago Motta agreed a new one-year deal, per Jonathan Johnson of ESPN.co.uk.

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Barca are likely to continue to find PSG difficult to deal with over Verratti. Yet the Blaugrana should keep on the case of Paulinho and offer improved terms to help secure the underrated South American.