After his brilliant performance against Barcelona in Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League last-16 first leg, there was immediately plenty of interest in Marco Verratti.

The 24-year-old produced a display that made the whole of Europe sit up and take notice as PSG smashed their La Liga opponents 4-0. In fact, he played so well that Andres Iniesta himself was convinced the Italian could be the heir to his throne at Barcelona.

During the match, while Verratti was down receiving treatment, Blaise Matuidi told Iniesta that he believed his teammate could be his successor at the Camp Nou one day.

And, according to Matuidi, Iniesta agreed.

"When Verratti was down on the ground with an injury, I told Iniesta that Marco was his successor and he replied that he thought the same," Matuidi told France Bleu.

"Iniesta is an extraordinary player. He is getting a bit older now, but the things he does are amazing.

"He is just coming back from an injury and he will return to top form for the return.

"We are fortunate to have his successor with us. That is the message I gave Iniesta when we spoke.”

Despite Verratti not having quite the same effect in the second-leg - with his side crashing out of the Champions League thanks to a 6-1 loss - he is still being tipped to become of the best midfielders in Europe in years to come.

Verratti wants to stay in Paris

However, although he’s been linked with moves to Barcelona, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Manchester United, Verratti believes that he will still be playing at the Parc des Princes next season.

"Paris has an important project and I think I will stay at PSG next season,” he said.

The future

But with Verratti still only 24, it’s highly unlikely that he will remain in Ligue 1 for too much longer.

So where would he like to go when he eventually leaves?

Well, he’s revealed one club that he’s seemingly open to joining - Juventus.

“Italy has a great league. Two teams like Inter and Milan, or Juventus, are capable of spending. We have seen that with Higuain (Juve paid 90m to Napoli). Juventus are one of the four best teams in the world. They have progressed a lot,” he said, per Sport.

“If in the future I leave PSG, I would not have any problem in going to this club, but today I am good where I am.”

Of course, if Juventus want to sign him, they will face plenty of competition from European giants but it seems the Old Lady have been given the encouragement from Verratti himself.

For now, though, it seems the Italy international will stay in Paris and continue his impressive development.