The Blaugrana have made the Italian priority number one this summer, but are struggling to negotiate a transfer with his employers.

Marco Verratti is a priority target at Barcelona, but the Blaugrana look set to miss out on their transfer target. The Catalan giants are ready to pull out all the stops for the Italian, but their attempts to convince PSG into selling has been fruitless so far.

Ernesto Valverde is working hard to make additions to the club after last season’s failure to win La Liga. So far, the Copa del Rey holders have made little progress in the transfer market, with the Verratti move in particular stalling.

Valverde’s desire to revamp Barcelona’s aging midfield has hit a stumbling block due to Verratti’s employer’s unwillingness to do business. The midfielder has grown into an integral figure at Les Parisiens over his five-year stay in France, thus PSG’s stance comes as little surprise.

The player himself wants the switch. It has been reported that the 24-year-old has turned down a new deal from the Ligue 1 giants in order to force a Camp Nou move.

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has confirmed their interest in Xavi’s heir, but opened up about their struggles in getting the deal done. He told Mundo Deportivo

"We want Marco Verratti and he wants to come here.

"Verratti is a player that interests us for a transfer, the coaches believe he is good enough to play in the Barca midfield.

"We know the player is bowled over by the prospect of coming to Barca. But when you ring PSG and you talk to their president, he says to us that he is not for sale and that they don't have release clauses.

"Marco Verratti is a prisoner of the Emir.

"Al-Khelaifi has told me that if he sells (Verratti) then they would never forgive him in Doha."

 

Match details, result and original broadcast info

Juventus 1 - 2 Barcelona

July 22, 2017 6:00pmMetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.

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