Barcelona targets snub Lionel Messi in favour of Real Madrid: This is why

The Catalan giants are keen to bolster their ranks ahead of next season as they bid to reclaim the La Liga title from bitter rivals Real Madrid.

Lionel Messi is a big influence at the Nou Camp and is apparently key to influencing a host of players to sign for the club. 

But it appears as if the attraction of playing with Cristiano Ronaldo and the progress Real are making is convincing potential targets to join the newly-crowned champions over Barca. 

Spanish outlet Diario Gol claim Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti is a top target for Barca.

It is suggested he will be the long-term successor to both Andres Iniesta and Xavi with both players expressing their admiration for him. 

Barcelona chief Robert Fernandez is keen to get a deal over the line for the Italy international.

But it now appears that he wants to join Real instead as he sees Real Madrid as more of an attractive proposition than playing with Lionel Messi at Barca.

It is suggested Verratti is intrigued by the team in which Florentino Perez is looking to build at the Bernabeu and wants to be part of their future plans.

Diario Gol say Juventus star Paulo Dybala, Monaco’s Kylian Mbappe and Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also prefer a move to Real on the same conditions as Verratti. 

Real take on Juventus in the Champions League final on June 3 in Cardiff (7.45pm).