Barca's Maxwell close to joining PSG

Barcelona: Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has revealed that left-back Maxwell is on the verge of joining Paris Saint-Germain.

The Brazilian defender has featured only 12 times for the Catalans this season and has made it clear that he wants to link up with the Ligue 1 leaders during the current transfer window.

"Maxwell informed us that he has an interesting offer from PSG and that he wants to accept it," Guardiola explained during a press conference on Wednesday. "I won't keep players from leaving if they want to.

The Brazilian defender has struggled to nail down a regular place in the Catalans\' line-up.

"His transfer isn't settled yet, but we are in advanced talks. If he leaves, we can only thank him."

Maxwell's compatriot, Adriano, has also been linked with a move away from Camp Nou before the end of the month but Guardiola insisted that he would like to retain the services of the former Sevilla man - provided the player is keen to stay.

"Those who want to go, they have all the freedom to leave," the former Spain international said. "Those who stay, it is because they really want to stay.

"From [Lionel] Messi to the youngest player in the squad, I do not want anyone being unhappy or forced to stay. I'd like Adriano to stay [because] when he is in good condition, he is a key player."

Guardiola was speaking on the eve of the second leg of his side's Copa del Rey last-16 clash with Osasuna on Thursday. The Catalans are protecting a 4-0 advantage from the sides' first-leg encounter at Camp Nou last week.

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