Barcelona were very close to signing their main target this summer. But somehow, negotiations have faltered. The player himself has said that his future lies with Paris Saint-Germain, if they do not change their position.
Earlier, it was Verratti and his agent Donato di Campli asking the PSG management to let go of the Italian. They were reluctant as they saw him as an integral part of the club’s future. But Di Campli continued to pressure the management. So much so that it was obvious that PSG would relent.
But that has not happened. Also, Verratti has come out with a statement that denies any such contact.
In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, he said, “I do not have to go at all costs. I want to see if this time PSG can really make a great team. In that event, I will be happy to stay. Every year they say they will put together a great team, but then we saw the results. The promises are not enough.
If this time, [Antero] Henrique maintains what he says, then I will be happy to stay. Nobody is forcing me to leave.”
This statement means that the fact that Verratti will leave the Parc de Princes is not definitive. It does not completely rule out the deal, but rather downplays it. It is a massive change from Verratti’s earlier statements that he was looking for a bigger club to play for and win trophies.
But Robert Fernandez and Raul Sanllehi cannot be discouraged by this. They were the architects of the deal from Barca’s side and they need to find a proper alternative. The midfield needs serious reinforcements and the pair need to find a proper player to be the successor to Iniesta at the Camp Nou.