ADRIANO: THIAGO SILVA WANTS TO JOIN BARCELONA

Barcelona full-back Adriano has claimed Thiago Silva is keen to join him at the Camp Nou from Paris St Germain but believes the Ligue 1 club is standing in the way.

Barca have been linked with a move for the Brazil centre-back throughout the summer as they seek to strengthen in central defence following their humiliating 7-0 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals last season.
The Barcelona-based newspaper Sport reported earlier in the week that the La Liga champions had agreed personal terms with the player, but this was swiftly denied by Silva, via his agent Paulo Tonietto.

Speaking to radio station RAC1, Adriano, who is close friends with the defender, said his compatriot wanted to come to Barcelona.
Adriano said: "He told me that it would be a dream come true for him if he came to Barcelona. He has always wanted to wear the Barcelona shirt. I am his friend and I speak with him a lot. His signing would be very good news for Barcelona."
However, he acknowledged that the defender was a key part of the PSG team and believes it will be difficult to convince the French side to sell one of their most prized assets.
He said: "I think it's a question of what both parties want. If it was just up to Thiago Silva, he'd already be here. But it's not just up to him. PSG have also shown a lot of faith in him and if Barcelona want him, they need to come to an agreement with the club."
Adriano, a full-back by nature, was forced to step in at centre-back on several occasions last season, and admitted the club needed to add to their squad over the summer.

He said: "We had more injuries than in previous seasons but that can always happen. I think it makes sense to bring more players in, whoever comes will add something to the team and will be welcomed with open arms. It's up to the board of directors and the coach to sort out."
And he said he was looking forward to seeing what impact another of his compatriots, Neymar, will have at Barcelona next season, alongside four-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi.
"At last the soap opera has finished. We are very happy for him," he said.
"He'll learn a lot and we hope he adapts as soon as possible and will be a big help to us. Neymar is a good person and so is Leo. I hope they work well together and become the best partnership in the world."