Man City has asked PSG about Marco Verratti’s Transfer availability this summer. Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti is set against a move away from the Ligue 1 club, despite an inquiry from Manchester City, according to reports.
The Italy international has been at the Parisian giants for over 11 years, but the club’s somewhat turbulent 2022/23 campaign has seen the player receive sharp criticism from fans.
Verratti was one of the players targeted by fan protests at the start of the month, along with Neymar Jnr and Lionel Messi, when Collectifs Ultras Paris organized a gathering of fans to vent their concerns outside of the club’s Boulogne headquarters.
The former Pescara player is one of a number who hired additional home security in the wake of the protests.
The club is said to be open to selling the player during the upcoming window, and as per Le Parisien, City is one of the clubs interested in making a move for Verratti.
Pep Guardiola is said to be preparing a shortlist of players that the Premier League champions wish to acquire over the summer, with the midfield highlighted as a particular squad priority.
Captain Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva are reportedly set to move on from Manchester, and Guardiola and sporting director Txiki Bergiristain have drawn up a list of targets to replace their midfield duo including Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister and Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich.
Verratti has had a patchy season in France, only registering one assist and failing to score in his 38 appearances for the Parisian giants.
His performance during PSG’s Champions League round-of-16 clash caught the eye for all the wrong reasons, with Verratti’s crucial loss of possession in the away side’s half leading to Eric Maxim Choup-Moting’s opening goal.
The 2-0 drubbing on the night – which saw the tie ended 3-0 on aggregate – knocked PSG out of the competition, with the club no closer to securing their elusive first Champions League trophy.
But despite a less-than-impressive showing this season, the 30-year-old is interested in staying in the French capital and fighting to regain form during what will be his 12th season at the club.
