Lionel Messi is against the prospect of Barcelona signing Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti in the summer, as per reports.
Spanish outlet Diario Gol have reported that Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi has vetoed the signing of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti in the summer, and would instead like the La Liga champions to keep hold of Arda Turan.
Verratti has established himself as one of the best central midfielders in the world ever since moving to PSG from Pescara in £10 million deal in 2012. In a little under five years at the Parc des Princes, the 24-year-old has become a key figure for the French giants – a player without whom PSG tend to struggle.
He has already notched up close to 200 appearances for Les Parisiens, with five goals and 31 assists to show for his efforts. And in an uncharacteristically topsy turvy season for PSG, the Italian midfield dynamo has been a shining light with his incredible close control, vision and range of passing.
Suffice to say, Varratti is a player who is on the radar of several clubs, with Chelsea and Inter Milan in particular heavily linked with the Italy international. But if recent comments from Verratti are anything to go by, the player has his heart set on a move to Barcelona.
Indeed, the report states that Verratti is one of five players the La Liga champions are eyeing as the possible long-term replacement of club captain, Andres Iniesta. And at 24, Verratti can offer his best years to Barcelona, and become an asset in their system with his style of play.
However, the report also adds that star forward Lionel Messi is opposed to the idea of Verratti joining Barcelona in the summer. That is because Verratti has the image of being “mischievous, rebellious and nocturnal” off the field and Messi is of the belief that that would not suit a club of Barcelona’s stature.
Messi played alongside Ronaldinho during the early stages of his career at Camp Nou and he fears that Verratti’s partying ways could send his career spiraling downwards, just like it did for the Brazilian legend.
In Verratti’s stead, Messi would much rather Barcelona keep hold of Arda Turan, who also likes his fair share of night-life, but is known to be close to the Argentina captain and Neymar. And while his future seems to be mired in uncertainty, he is enjoying a good season at Camp Nou, having bagged 13 goals and 7 assists so far.
It now remains to be seen if Barcelona do pay heed to Messi’s objections, and if Turan indeed ends up staying at Camp Nou in the summer.
