Marco Verratti is reportedly set to turn down a new deal worth €10 million per year from Paris Saint-Germain.
Italian outlet Sport Mediaset have reported that Marco Verratti is all but set to force through a move to Barcelona in the summer transfer window. The Italian midfielder is expected to turn down a renewal offer by PSG, who have tabled a €10 million-a-year deal to him.
Verratti has evolved into one of the finest central midfielders in the world, having established himself as an instrumental figure for PSG over the last five seasons. A standout player at Parc des Princes for the Parisian outfit, the player was one of the shining lights in an otherwise disappointing campaign for PSG.
Ever present at the heart of midfield for Les Parisiens, Verratti notched up 43 appearances across all competitions in the recently concluded season, while also chipping in with 3 goals and 8 assists. But after 5 fruitful seasons in the French capital, his spell with PSG seems to be nearing its expiry date.
Verratti’s agent, Donato Di Campli has gone on record to assert that PSG are failing to match up to his client’s ambitions and that a summer exit could be on the cards. And with Barcelona keen on landing him in the summer transfer window, the player could be on his way to his dream club.
The Blaugranas, like PSG, are coming off an underwhelming campaign in the 2016/17 season, as they relinquished their La Liga crown to bitter rivals while also seeing them defending their Champions League title after being eliminated in the quarterfinals.
The season also spelled the end of Luis Enrique’s time as Barcelona manager with Ernesto Valverde his successor. And the newly appointed Barca boss is eager to strengthen several positions in order to ensure a more sustainable challenge in Europe and La Liga.
Midfield is reportedly a top priority for Valverde, with last summer’s signings Andre Gomes and Denis Suarez failing to live up to their billing. Ivan Rakitic, meanwhile, also blew hot and cold over the course of the campaign.
With veteran midfielder Andres Iniesta nearing the end of his glittering career, midfield reinforcements are seemingly an urgent need of the hour. As a result, Barcelona have set their sights on Verratti over a move in the summer transfer window, with the player himself desperate for a summer switch to Camp Nou.
PSG, however, are unwilling to let go of their prized asset and have tabled a bumper new deal worth €10 million per year in order to tempt him to stay at Parc des Princes. But Verratti and Di Campli met with club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and sporting director Antero Henrique to tell them that they want the move to Barcelona.
It now remains to be seen if the player gets his wish to play at Camp Nou in a Barcelona shirt or if PSG are able to persuade him to stay in the French capital beyond the summer.
