Spanish La Liga giants Barcelona have reportedly launched talks with PSG midfielder Marco Verratti, according to Mundo Deportivo. The box-to-box midfielder caught the eyes of the Catalan club when PSG beat them 4-0 at Parc de Princes in the last 16 of the Champions League.
After the match, FCB’s veteran midfielder Andres Iniesta is said to have approached him over a possible transfer to the Nou Camp in the summer. Verratti is widely seen as Iniesta’s replacement.
The Spaniard turns 33 in May, hence the need to find a long-term heir. Barcelona haven’t been solid at midfield since the departure of Xavi Hernandez. New signing Andre Gomes has also been hugely disappointing so far, and this explains why the club is still hunting for a long-term solution.
The report from Mundo Deportivo claims that the Catalans met Verratti's agent, Donato Di Campli, moments after the second-leg clash at the Nou Camp when Barcelona won 6-5 on aggregate. Verratti, 24, is said to be "very excited" about the ongoing negotiations as he looks forward to winning European titles with Barca, something that he lacks with Les Parisiens.
Barcelona 'open talks' with Marco Verratti over summer transfer
Barcelona are still hunting for a long-term replacement of Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta at midfield.
