Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti has talked up the prospect of Lionel Messi moving to the French capital.

The Argentine is expected to seek pastures new in the summer when his Blaugrana contract expires, with PSG and Manchester City thought to be the only two realistic destinations due to his mammoth wage demands.

PSG's outspoken tactics have reportedly led to an angry reaction from Barcelona, but that has not stopped Verratti from claiming that sharing a team with Messi would be a "gift".

Speaking to Canal+, the Italy international said: "Of course I'd like to play with Messi. I'd be giving the ball to Neymar and Messi, standing back and watching.

"It'd be fantastic to have him with us - another gift that football would've given me."

Verratti and Messi will soon lock horns in the Champions League last-16 stage when Barcelona welcome PSG to Catalonia for the first leg next Tuesday.