Verratti latest: July 4 is key date in Barça's pursuit of PSG midfielder

The Catalan club need Verratti's help to facilitate a move. With that in mind, July 4 is a key date. That's the day the French club are due back for pre-season. If Verratti doesn't return, it would change everything for Barça.

Javier Mascherano is the most recent case of this. He refused to play games for Liverpool to make sure he got a move to Camp Nou.

If Verratti opts for a more conservative approach and returns to training, Barça are not optimistic about doing a deal. PSG travel to the USA between July 19 and 26 for games against Roma, Tottenham and Juventus.

VERRATTI'S GOT THE BALL MOVING

The Italian international is clear that he wants to leave Paris. He has demonstrated that in recent weeks with various moves and meetings with the club.

His agent Donato Di Campli told sporting director Antero Henrique that his client needs to be part of a "winning project" and Di Campli and Verratti then both met with Henrique and PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi to express their desire to leave -- Verratti even took a break from his holiday to make the demand and put pressure on.

Verratti knows that not returning for pre-season would leave him with a big fine. Barça, meanwhile, are not ready to pay anywhere near the 200 million euros which has been talked about in France. The Blaugrana are looking at around 80 million.