PSG fearful of Verratti’s exit
Marco Verratti's agent Donato Di Campli has requested a meeting with PSG to discuss a summer move to Barcelona, according to reports from Football Italia. Verratti has been open about joining the Catalans ever since Xavi’s public admiration of the player last month.
The diminutive Italian has been tipped to replace Andres Iniesta at the heart of Barca’s ageing midfield and is expected to command a transfer fee of over €70million. Manchester United and Chelsea were also chasing the Italian International, however, the 24-year-old has his heart set on a move to Camp Nou this summer.
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Speaking with Football Italia, Verratti’s agent Campli said, "I want to leave things calm, PSG aren't in the happiest moment. We'll ask for a meeting with the club to discuss Marco's future. The club has said that Marco won't leave, so we have to respect the will of the club. We will, however, make a point of the situation after the Coupe de France final."
Barca hopeful of Bellerin’s transfer
Manchester City have made an informal move to sign Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin. However, Diario Gol claim Barcelona are confident of signing their former player amid the recent chaos at the Emirates.
Bellerin, along with Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, is tipped to leave Arsenal in the summer with Arsene Wenger’s position at the club still insecure. The Gunners lost their most recent North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur by two goals and are certain to finish below their arch-rivals club for the first time under Wenger.
Barcelona are expected to make a £35m move for Bellerin this summer and will complete the transfer at the end of this season. The Blaugrana have also added Kyle Walker to the list of probable signings ahead of next season in case the Bellerin deal fails to materialise.
Atleti willing to lower Theo’s transfer fee
Atletico Madrid’s left-back Theo Hernandez has emerged as the key target for Barcelona and Real Madrid this summer. However, Spanish radio station Cadena Sir have confirmed that the Rojiblancos are willing to lower the transfer fee to avoid selling the player to their city rivals.
Hernandez is currently on loan at Deportivo Alaves and has previously expressed his desire to play for Los Blancos. Atleti could, however, block the player’s move to Bernabeu and could accept a bid in the region of €25 million for the 19-year-old defender.
Barcelona might be tempted to partake as Lucas Digne has failed to establish himself as a first-team player since his move to Camp Nou.
“African Xavi” nears a switch to Camp Nou
Barcelona and Southampton are chasing the highly rated OGC Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri, according to reports from Mundo Deportivo. The report claims Seri has told OGC Nice about his plans to quit the club next season with a lot of clubs chasing the 19-year-old.
Mundo Deportivo have dubbed Seri as the “African Xavi” and claim that the likes of Everton, Borussia Dortmund and Southampton are also chasing the midfielder. Barcelona are yet to know their stance on signing Marco Verratti and if they fail to lure the Italian, the Catalan club could launch a bid for Seri instead.
