Chelsea transfer target Marco Verratti favours £88million Barcelona move

Chelsea look likely to miss out on the transfer of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti, who is desperate to seal a move to Barcelona this summer.

         The Italy international is said to have told close friends that he is eager to move to the Nou Camp ‘now or never’ after impressing the Catalan giants with his form in France.

Barca legend Xavi is said to have urged his old club to spend whatever it takes to sign Verratti this summer, with an £88million offer already on the table.
         According to Calciomercato, contact has already been made between the two clubs, while Mundo Deportivo state that Verratti has had his heart set on joining Barcelona since they dumped PSG out of the Champions League back in March.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has reportedly been confident of luring his fellow countryman to Stamford Bridge this summer, but latest speculation suggests a deal now looks highly unlikely.
           The Premier League champions could do with making signings in midfield, but look set to win the race for Monaco star Tiemoue Bakayoko in that area, while Nemanja Matic could be one name to make way this summer.

Verratti would have been an ideal fit for the Blues, but also looks tailor-made to give Barcelona the boost they need as they face the near-impossible task of replacing Xavi since his departure in 2015, as well as the ageing Andres Iniesta.