Marquinhos Wants to Join Barcelona

Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos wants to join Barcelona, according to reports.

The 20-year-old -- who signed from Roma for around £25m last summer and is under contract at PSG until 2018 -- is aware that David Luiz's arrival at the Parc des Princes is likely to limit his first-team appearances next season.

Barca are looking to strengthen their defence following the retirement of veteran captain Carles Puyol and it was reported that the agreement between Marquinhos and the Catalan club was just awaiting an answer from the Ligue 1 champions.

French coach Laurent Blanc has made it clear that the Parisian club has no intention of letting him leave PSG and has ruled out any possibility of the centre-back moving to Spain, adding: "Marquinhos will stay -- that is for sure."

The defender was asked about Barca's interest in an interview with French television programme Telefoot.

"My future will be decided by PSG, because I am under contract here. I am staying, so far. There is nothing official. For now I am a PSG player."

Catalan newspaper Sport reported that the French club rejected Barca's latest €40m offer, even though Blanc has not held talks with the player yet – a fact that surprised the Brazilian who was confident that Blanc would call him to tell him personally that he remains part of the manager's plans.

Now French newspaper Le Parisien claims that Marquinhos wants to sign for the Catalans in the summer as his first appearances are likely to be limited next season with Luiz's arrival at Paris.

The Brazilian hasn't ruled himself out of PSG's preseason plans – which begins on Thursday in Austria until July 13.