Barcelona interested in signing Lionel Messi’s ex-PSG teammate: Reports

Barcelona could reportedly bring Lionel Messi's former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Marco Verratti back to Europe this summer.

Spanish outlet SPORT (via DeadlineDayLive on X) reports that Barca are interested in Verratti who left Europe last summer. The Italian midfielder joined Qatari outfit Al-Arabi SC in a €45 million deal.

Verratti, 31, signed a two-year deal with Al-Arabi which expires next summer. He's made 16 appearances in the Stars League, registering seven assists in Doha, Qatar.

However, Portuguese journalist Pedro Almeida reports that Verratti wants to return to Europe and he's on Barcelona's wishlist. The veteran playmaker is a player Blaugrana icon Lionel Messi knows well from their time together at PSG.

Verratti flourished at the Parc des Princes, making 416 appearances, posting 11 goals and 61 assists. He spent the final two seasons of his time with the Parisians with Messi and they won the Ligue 1 title twice.

Messi suggested the Catalans have wanted to sign Verratti for several years when he linked up with him in Paris in 2021. He said during a glowing assessment of the 55-cap Italy international (via GOAL):

"Marco Verratti has shown that he is a huge player, one of the best in the world in his position. He is a phenomenon. He was wanted in Barcelona, but now it is the reverse and it is me coming to him in Paris."

Barcelona may need to be cautious with their spending this summer amid financial issues. That said, there may be a chance to sign Verratti at a low fee given his desire to return to Europe and the amount of time left on his contract.

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Marco Verratti hailed Barcelona icon Lionel Messi as the greatest player in history

Marco Verratti (right) is a huge admirer of Lionel Messi.

Verratti waxed lyrical about Lionel Messi in 2022 ahead of the FIFA World Cup. He'd spent a year playing with the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner and saw his extraordinary talent up close.

The Italian was awestruck by Messi and touched on this in an interview with RMC Sport:

"It’s incredible what Messi does, you never get used to it. It’s in the simple things that you fall in love with him. For me, who loves football like that, he is an example, he is the best in history."

Messi joined PSG in July 2023 after leaving Barcelona, a departure he insists he never wanted to make. The Inter Miami superstar spent two years at the Parc des Princes, netting 32 goals and 35 assists in 75 games across competitions.