Barcelona to target £52m Marco Verratti?

Barcelona have reportedly been given encouragement in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain's Marco Verratti.

The 26-year-old has made 288 appearances for PSG since joining the French giants from Pescara in 2012.

Verratti has consistently been linked with a move away from Paris over the last few years, though, and his current contract with Thomas Tuchel's side will expire in the summer of 2021.

According to reports in Spain, super-agent Mino Raiola has informed PSG that his client wants a fresh challenge, which has attracted the attention of long-term admirers Barca.

The Italy international could allegedly be signed for a figure in the region of £52m, which is unlikely to put off the Spanish champions as they could soon be in the market for a replacement for the unsettled Ivan Rakitic.

Verratti has won six Ligue 1 titles during his time at the Parc des Princes but is yet to taste European glory with the French giants continuing to struggle in the Champions League.