Marquinhos is reportedly ready to reject a move to Real Madrid to join Barcelona from PSG in the summer.
According to a report by Spanish publication Don Balon, Marquinhos is keen on joining Barcelona in the summer transfer window to replace Samuel Umtiti, whose future at Camp Nou is uncertain. The PSG defender is also the subject of interest from Real Madrid, who could be forced into the market for a centre-back.
Marquinhos has enjoyed two spectacular seasons at PSG after emerging from the shadows of David Luiz in the 2016-17 campaign. These two seasons have seen him finally come good on the promise that he showed upon joining Les Parisiens from AS Roma in the summer of 2013.
During this period, Marquinhos has also usurped Luiz to become a regular in the Br azil National Side. With his stock skyrocketing over the last two years, the player has become a highly sought-after figure in the transfer market, with Real Madrid and Barcelona constantly battling each other in his pursuit.
At the Bernabeu, Zinedine Zidane is set to revamp his squad this summer in a bid to return to the summit of Spanish football. Defence is understandably a priority for the Real Madrid manager after a campaign that saw the backline leak goals at an alarming rate, with defenders being uncannily error-prone.
To make matters more concerning, Raphael Varane’s Real Madrid future is uncertain, with Manchester United rumoured to be in his pursuit. With Jesus Vallejo failing to impress this season and Nacho only considered to be a backup, Marquinhos is a player whose addition could boost Los Blancos significantly. But, Barcelona now have an advantage in the race to sign him.
Like Real Madrid, Barcelona too, have a long-standing interest in the Br azilian defender, but have never made a move for him. Things might change this summer though, with Samuel Umtiti heavily linked with a move away from Camp Nou.
With January arrival Yerry Mina taking time to settle at the club, and Marlon Santos facing an uncertain future, Ernesto Valverde could be forced into the transfer market for a defender, making Marquinhos a viable target.
What also makes Marquinhos an appealing prospect for both Barcelona and Real Madrid is the fact that he can play as a right-back as adeptly as he does as a centre-back. Marquinhos’s addition could see both manager have a more experienced replacement. Barcelona though, now hold an advantage ahead of Real Madrid, with the player favouring a move to Camp Nou instead of the Bernabeu.
Marquinhos looks set to leave PSG this summer, and it looks highly likely that Barcelona could be his next destination, but only if Umtiti ends up leaving. If not, we could see Real Madrid being given a free run in towards the Br azilian.