Barcelona will reportedly target Paris Saint-Germain’s Marco Verratti in 2016 if their pursuit of Paul Pogba does not materialise.
The 22-year-old has a contract with the French giants until 2019, but according to Ilsussidiario.net, that has not stopped the Catalans from showing an interest in his services.
Barca’s new international sports advisor Ariedo Braida is on the lookout for fresh blood in midfield as a result of both Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta’s advancing years.
The source adds that Braida tried to swoop for Verratti when he held a similar title at Milan three years ago, only for the starlet’s former club Pescara to turn down an €8m bid from the Rossoneri.
He eventually joined PSG for €12m later that summer and quickly became a key player for the French champions, before establishing himself as a full Italy international shortly after.
However, Verratti is unlikely to come cheap as his release clause is set at €50m, while Barca will not be able to bring him to Camp Nou until January 2016 due to their transfer embargo.
