Italian clubs can’t afford Barcelona target, says agent

The agent of Marco Verratti claims Italian clubs would not be able to afford the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder this summer as uncertainty regarding his future rumbles on.

Verratti is reportedly looking to leave PSG this summer in order to play for a club capable of competing for the top honours in Europe with Barcelona the frontrunners for his signature.

Juventus have been regularly linked with a move for the Italy international but Verratti’s agent, Donato Di Campli, doesn’t think a return to Serie A is realistic for the 24-year-old.

“It’s difficult,” he told Sky Italia, via Football Italia. “I think it’s a deal which is still out of the scope of Italian clubs. It’s very complicated [to leave], but we have expressed our ideas to PSG. We’re not talking about Barcelona or other clubs, it’s about projects.

“I think I represent a champions and clearly I have questions. To be a champion you have to win. If PSG don’t want to sell him, despite offers from all over Europe, then we’d have to examine our consciences in Italy.”

Verratti is widely regarded as one of the best central midfielders in Europe and he would be able to make a seamless transition into the Barcelona starting XI given his style of play as a technician in midfield areas.

The Italian has spent the last five years at PSG but the Ligue 1 giants surrendered their league title last season and do not appear to be making any progress in the Champions League.

In the last four Ligue 1 campaigns only PSG teammate Thiago Motta (9973) has completed more passes than Verratti (8341).

For more stats on Marco Verratti, click here to visit his WhoScored player page