Marquinhos welcomes Barcelona interest

Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos has welcomed reported interest from Barcelona.

The Brazilian, who has a contract with PSG until 2018 having joined from Roma just last summer, is widely regarded as one of the best young centre-backs in European football.

Barcelona have been strongly linked with a move in recent weeks and the 20-year-old has admitted that it is "flattering" to be mentioned in the same breath as the Spanish side.

"If Barca is interested in me, then it's something that satisfies me," he told Sport.

"It's flattering because Barca is a club that has won all the competitions in the world. Other than that, I can't say any more about Barca."

Marquinhos started his career with Corinthians.