Barcelona transfer news: Thiago Silva confirms club interest in signing PSG centre-back Marquinhos

Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva has confirmed that Barcelona made an approach for the services of the club's coveted centre-back Marquinhos. The Brazilian says that the Catalan giants are among a number of sides interested in taking advantage of the defender's uncertain situation at the Ligue 1 side, with reports in Spain also linking Chelsea and Manchester United with a possible move.

Mundo Deportivo earlier in February that the three European giants are all set to battle for the player's signature at the end of the season, with the recruitment of a centre-back a priority for the trio. Barcelona have been linked with Marquinhos since the player's days at Roma, and the Champions League winners are on alert after the player fell behind Silva and David Luiz in Laurent Blanc's plans.

The publication, however, believes Barca will face stiff competition from the Premier League behemoths, with the Blues already tabling a €45m (£34.8m, $50.2m) offer for the player last summer following the unsuccessful attempt to pry John Stones from Everton.

Silva has now confirmed Barcelona's interest in the player, and was unable to guarantee his compatriot will remain in Paris next season.

"His situation is difficult. Marquinhos is a player with great qualities who would be able to play in any team in Europe. That's the reason why Barca and others have already enquired," Silva said, as quoted by Sport.

"But it's the fault of his agent. He transferred David Luiz to Paris and then was left with two of his players in competition. And the third central defender is the captain of the team – me.

"Fortunately, Marquinhos is a good guy, otherwise he would already have acted negatively. He has to continue to work and we'll see what he decides to do at the end of the season."