Man City considering Marco Verratti swoop
The reigning Premier League champions Manchester City are reportedly considering a move for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti in the summer transfer window.
The Italian midfielder is valued at around €50 million.
According to Fichajes, City have identified Marco Verratti as a potential target, especially with the uncertain future of Ilkay Gundogan, who has attracted interest from Arsenal.
Having secured another Premier League title under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, the Citizens aims to build on their success by pursuing further silverware. The club have achieved three consecutive league titles and now has its sights set on adding the FA Cup and Champions League to complete a remarkable treble.
However, ahead of the new season, Manchester City faces the possibility of losing some key players. Ilkay Gundogan, who has been with the club for seven years, is nearing the end of his contract, raising doubts about his future. Arsenal, led by Mikel Arteta, has emerged as a potential destination for the midfielder and could attempt to secure his services during the summer. Additionally, there have been ongoing speculations about the potential departure of Kalvin Phillips due to his limited playing time this season.
The potential departure of Ilkay Gundogan from Manchester City would create a significant void in their midfield, and Marco Verratti could be a suitable replacement. The 30-year-old Italian joined PSG from Pescara in 2012 and has established himself as one of the world’s top playmakers.
Verratti has made 414 appearances across all competitions, contributing 11 goals and 61 assists. In the current season, he has featured 36 times, providing one assist. However, he has faced criticism from some sections of the fanbase for below-par performances, which he believes to be unfair. As a result, he is reportedly seeking a new challenge.
Verratti has been linked with a transfer away from PSG on previous occasions. In 2017, he expressed a desire to join Barcelona, but the club’s president, Nasser Al Khelafi, asked him to issue an apology video on social media, which he did.
The difference this time is that PSG are reportedly open to offers for the midfielder, making him available for a substantial fee of around €50 million. Despite his contract running until June 2026, there have been recent rumours linking him with a move to Real Madrid. However, conflicting reports suggest that Real Madrid may not be pursuing his signature.
This situation could present an opportunity for Manchester City, who are expected to be in the market for at least one central midfielder during the summer transfer window. If Verratti is available at a reduced price, it would make sense for Manchester City to pursue his signing, even though he may not fit their usual transfer policy of targeting younger players for development.