Verratti comments set to spark Chelsea and Man United interest
Published:
Chelsea and Manchester United could be set for a summer transfer battle, if the latest comments concerning Paris Saint-Germain’s Marco Verratti are anything to go by.
According to the player’s agent, the 24-year-old could soon be on the move, following PSG’s disastrous Champions League collapse versus Barcelona.
Les Parisiens were seconds away from progressing into the last eight, but three goals in the dying moments saw them lose 6-1 at the Nou Camp.
And according to Verratti’s agent Donato Di Campi, PSG’s consistent failure to win in Europe is a concern.
He said: “Marco wants to win and at PSG just now he cannot.”
“He has been in Paris for five years and now has to make up his mind; does he want to earn a lot without winning anything or lift trophies and become a champion?”
Having won the last four Ligue 1 titles, Di Campi is clearly referring to the lack of European successes.
He added: “The situation is very complicated, particularly because his contract is long. This is not a money problem.”
“One thing is for certain; if he leaves PSG, it will be for a top European club.”
This may well just be a clever ploy from an agent representing his player, but there may be some merit to it.
Manchester United and boss Jose Mourinho are acutely aware that they will need to replace Michael Carrick sooner rather than later.
At just 24-years-old Verratti offers longevity in addition to his experience and quality.
But as Di Campi alluded, his contract in the French capital runs for another four years, and with a valuation of £34m by transfermarkt.co.uk, United will likely need to pay £45m-50m.
On paper Chelsea don’t need Verratti, with N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic holding fort at Stamford Bridge.
But it’s been well publicised that the Blues want European success in the near future, and Verratti’s arrival would add superb strength in depth in a key area of the pitch.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
