Lionel Messi has claimed that Barcelona have held a long-standing interest in signing Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti.
Four years after Neymar made the switch from Camp Nou to Parc des Princes, Messi is now a PSG player after completing the transfer earlier this week.
However, during a press conference to mark his arrival, the Argentine superstar revealed that Barcelona have been keen to sign one of PSG's top players in recent years.
Speaking to reporters, the 34-year-old said: "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. Not only Marco, but the dressing room is full of the best players in the world."
Despite Messi being removed from the Barcelona wage bill, there is no prospect of Verratti moving in the opposite direction this summer.
Darren Plant
