Verratti turns down Barca link

Paris Saint-Germain ace Marco Verratti has insisted that he had never expressed his intention to join Barcelona.

In a recent report, the France international was quoted as saying that he would find it hard to ignore a move to Camp Nou, should an opportunity arise in the future.

However, following Les Parisiens' 4-0 thumping of Barca in the Champions League Round of 16, first-leg, the 24-year-old insisted that his dream is rather to lift the European Cup with the Ligue 1 holders.

"I wanted to say something now, I didn't want to say it before the game but there is a report saying that I said I wanted to play for Barcelona. I never said that," he told reporters.

"You know my dream. My dream is to win here in Paris. Even if we had lost again Barcelona tonight I would not have changed my mind - I have faith in my club, faith in the project."

Verratti has been also linked with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea in recent months, but it now appears that he will most probably stick with Paris Saint-Germain for many years to come. 

The Italy international was previously said to be assessing his future at Parc des Princes after he received strong criticism from the French media over his performances.