La Liga heavyweights Barcelona have reportedly rekindled their interest in signing 29-year-old Italian international Marco Verratti from PSG.
According to a report by Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, Marco Verratti is the subject of interest from Barcelona over a possible move in the summer transfer window. But the Blaugrana might not be able to land the Italian midfielder, who will likely stay put at PSG heading into the 2022/23 season.
Marco Verratti has established himself as one of the best midfielders in Europe since joining Paris Saint-Germain from Pescara in July 2012. Over the past decade, the 29-year-old has spent the best years of his career at Parc des Princes, playing an instrumental role in PSG’s dominance in French football.
To date, the Italian international has turned out 375 times for PSG, chipping in with 11 goals and 60 assists. Verratti also played a leading role as Italy won the UEFA Euro 2020 last year, while his exploits over the years have captured the attention of some of the most high profile clubs in Europe, including Barcelona.
Interestingly, Barcelona attempted to sign Verratti in 2017 before PSG turned the table on them by swooping Neymar in a world-record transfer. Since then, Verratti has remained firmly at Parc des Princes, with a possible departure being out of the question.
The Catalan giants have now reignited their interest in the 29-year-old amid uncertainties hovering around the future of Frenkie de Jong. Two players have subsequently emerged as “impossible dreams” for Barcelona, those being Kevin De Bruyne and Marco Verratti.
Signing Kevin De Bruyne will be beyond Barcelona’s means, considering he signed a new contract with Manchester City last year. Meanwhile, Verratti remains a pivotal figure for PSG, whose desperate chase for a UEFA Champions League triumph will mean Barcelona will be unable to prise him away from Parc des Princes.
Barcelona will thus have to set sights on another player Xavi Hernandez admires a lot – Bernardo Silva. According to recent reports, Barcelona could offer Frenkie de Jong to Manchester City to land the Portuguese international in a swap deal. As for Verratti and De Bruyne, the powerhouse duo will likely remain at their respective clubs beyond the summer transfer window.
