It’s no secret that Barcelona tried to reinforce their midfield options during the summer transfer window. Sergio Busquets’ departure meant that Oriol Romeu arrived from Girona, but further additions were wanted by head coach Xavi Hernandez.
However, the Catalans were unsuccessful in their attempts to sign another midfielder before the deadline. According to L’Equipe (via MD), one of the players they tried for was Marco Verratti, who was deemed as surplus to requirements at Paris Saint-Germain.
Barcelona, alongside Bayern Munich and Chelsea, tried to sign Verratti on a season-long loan deal, but PSG rejected all of these offers as they prepared to move on the Italian international permanently. They have been successful in doing so, as he is about to join Qatari side Al-Arabi.
Marco Verratti to Al Arabi, here we go! Verbal agreement finally sealed with the Italian midfielder who’s set to sign on a permanent deal with Qatari club 🇶🇦🇮🇹 #AlArabi
Understand Verratti will travel to Doha in the next 24 hours.
PSG agreed on €45m fee 10 days ago, it’s done. pic.twitter.com/sUyKjqdhG0
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 10, 2023
Had Barcelona been able to sign Verratti on doable financial terms, it would have been a sensational piece of business, and they would have undoubtedly had one of Europe’s best midfields. However, it turned out not to be for the reigning LaLiga champions.
