Barcelona prepared to pay £62million for PSG man

Spanish newspaper 'Mundo Deportivo' claims that Barcelona have earmarked £62million of their transfer warchest to sign Italian playmaker Marco Verratti. They report that the Catalans are expecting a tough set of negotiations with their French counterparts but are confident they can strike a deal for the 24-year-old.

PSG are reluctant to let the diminutive dynamo leave, and with him being tied down to the club until the summer of 2021, are under no obligation to do so. However, with the Italian having reportedly told high-ranking chiefs that he wants to leave the French capital, they accept that it may be difficult to keep him. 

Verratti has been a major success at PSG since joining them from Pescara in 2012 and has developped into a world-class midfielder. Barcelona are looking to revamp their squad this summer, with moves for former players Gerard Deulofeu and Hector Bellerin also in the offing.