Real Madrid to step up after Lionel Messi vetoes Barcelona’s move for midfielder – Reports

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Updated: March 13, 2018
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Barcelona have more than cope up with the departure of Neymar last summer. Whilst the news of the Brazilian moving to PSG was certainly a blow, the Catalans left no stone unturned and showed in the transfer that they are still on the of the big dogs.

The incoming transfers of Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele coupled with Lionel Messi’s new contract extension saw Barca spend roughly £350million this season to keep themselves ahead of the pack.

This, however, will not deter the side from spending lavishly again this coming summer with an eye to improve further. One the of the biggest things that the Blaugrana are set to turn an eye on is their midfield.

Also read: Liverpool set to fight Barca for 'next Philippe Coutinho'

Andres Iniesta has only played the full 90 minutes on three times in La Liga this season and is coming towards the twilight of his career. Andre Gomes, meanwhile has failed to impress anyone during his stint at Barcelona and recently claimed his spell at Camp Nou as a “living hell”. Thus, it might be safe to assume that his future might not be in Catalonia.

Marco Verratti: The answer?

That brings us Marco Verratti. The Italian has time and again been linked with a move to Barcelona and was a favourite to sign for Ernesto Valverde’s side last summer.

The transfer, however, eventually fell through. Verratti, though recently revealed that there was indeed interest in his signature and a €100m bid made to acquire his services.

The 25-year-old also revealed that he was indeed now looking at the option of moving away from Paris after PSG was yet again knocked out at the Round of 16 stage in the Champions League.

“I’m honest, for the first time in five years I wondered if I should stay here,” he said back in October.

“People think that I play for PSG for the money, but I could get that elsewhere, too. If I had moved in the summer, there were clubs ready to pay €100m to sign me and I would have earned a lot more.

“Neymar, he could have earned as much with Manchester City or Chelsea. He didn’t sign here for the money but the project. It’s the same with me.”

However, according Spanish media outlet Diario Gol, Messi has no interest in playing alongside the midfielder.

Verratti is believed to have cut short his holiday last summer to speak with the sporting director of Barcelona. Now, with Messi reportedly vetoing the deal, Real Madrid are looking to pounce on the midfielder according to the report.

The midfielder has been a vital cog in PSG’s campaigns in recent seasons and will surely improve any side he steps into. A move might now be on the cards with PSG failing to make their mark in Europe.

Whether that move will be to Real or Barcelona remains to be seen.