Marco Verratti has been monitored for years by Barcelona's scouts. He's always been a player that has drawn attention, but PSG signed him at a moment when Barcelona had the best central midfield in the world. In 2012, when he was just 19, the Italian moved to France and Barcelona have followed him ever since. But the most serious contact Barcelona and Verratti had came last summer in Formentera. Barcelona international sporting director Ariedo Braida met with him there to discuss his future.

Braida has always been the biggest advocate of his signature, like with Paul Pogba. In his first summer at the club he recommended to sign him but Barcelona moved for Arda Turan, with PSG unwilling to sell.

Last summer the player could have forced his way out but Barcelona moved for players in other positions and then added Andre Gomes, a player Robert Fernandez and Luis Enrique like a lot.

Verratti has been going on holiday to Formentera for years, and that was where Barcelona met with him and tested to see if he would sign for the club if PSG let him leave. Verratti was tired of not competing for European titles and bored of the French league, recognising Barcelona would fit his style and be his ideal team. However the reality is that PSG are growing, have offered him a new deal and now it's less likely he would want to leave. Barcelona had him for a moment in Formentera, but they did not move hard enough to show they really wanted to sign him.