FC Barcelona Given Chance to Sign PSG Legend Verratti

FC Barcelona has been presented with an opportunity to sign a Paris Saint-Germain legend, as reported by Mundo Deportivo. Marco Verratti, a former transfer target for Barcelona, was close to joining the club in 2017, but the move was blocked by PSG’s chairman, Nasser Al-Khelaifi. Despite renewed interest in 2023, Al-Khelaifi intervened once again, leading to Verratti’s transfer to Al-Arabi in his native Italy.

Now, Mundo Deportivo claims that Verratti has been directly offered to the La Liga champions. While head coach Xavi Hernandez and his staff admire Verratti, he is not considered a top priority for the club, which is seeking reinforcements in his position. Xavi has been searching for a successor to Sergio Busquets since his departure last season, initially targeting Joshua Kimmich or Martin Zubimendi. However, due to the club’s financial constraints, they were unable to secure either player.

Xavi’s recent demand for either Kimmich or Zubimendi as a condition to see out his contract, which expires in June 2025, has raised eyebrows. There are concerns about Verratti’s competitiveness, given that he currently plays in the Qatari league. At 31, Verratti still has plenty to offer, but his high salary demands may be a stumbling block. To return to the top level of European football, Verratti may need to lower his salary expectations and accept a pay cut.

If Verratti were to join Barcelona, he would face competition from the likes of Frenkie de Jong and Ilkay Gundogan for a spot in the starting lineup. However, having a high-quality midfielder like Verratti could push these players further up the pitch, providing a new dimension to Barcelona’s midfield.