Barcelona hit a triple brick wall: Verratti, Bellerin and Paulinho

Barcelona's business this summer is getting increasingly complicated, despite sealing Messi's renewal, the club's top priority.

However, Barca's efforts to lure their main transfer targets are not working out. First it was PSG and Verratti, the Parisian side refusing to let the midfielder leave the club.

Then it was Wenger who stopped Bellerin's exit from the Emirates, the Frenchman standing firm to hinder all departures from north London this summer.

Finally, Guangzhou Evergrande. The Chinese side have just confirmed that they have turned down Barca's offer for Paulinho. Three refusals for the Catalan side who will begin the pre-season with the only addition of Deulofeu, who returned to the Camp Nou thanks to the buy-back clause in his contract.

After been denied three times, Barcelona will have to offer more money or look for new objectives. Negotiations have stalled despite the three players' willingness to play for Valverde's team.

The summer is long, but it has not been a good start for the Catalans who need new recruits to propel their new project under the Basque manager.