Manchester United have shown an interest in signing Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti, according to French publication L’Equipe (today’s edition).
The Red Devils suffered a disappointing 2-0 Premier League defeat at Tottenham Hotspur yesterday. It was the second successive game where they lacked control in midfield.
Gary Neville has urged the club to sign a new holding midfielder to support Casemiro, and L’Equipe claim that United and Bayern are looking into a deal for Verratti.
The Italian has been deemed surplus to requirements by PSG boss Luis Enrique after 11 years at the club, and he is free to leave them for the right price before the deadline.
The 30-year-old has already agreed personal terms with Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli, but they have yet to finalise a transfer fee with Les Parisiens for the Euro 2020 winner.
As a result, L’Equipe claim that United can’t be ruled out from making a late approach.
United should pursue a younger defensive midfielder
The Red Devils currently have a world-class holding midfielder in Casemiro, but the Brazilian has had another slow start to the season. He needs to improve in the coming games.
In our view, the club need a strong competitor who can either replace him or play alongside. Verratti has vast experience with over 400 appearances for PSG, but United should look elsewhere.
The Italian will be 31 before the turn of the year and won’t be a long-term signing. He is currently on a salary worth £12.3 million per year and is eyeing around £17.1m annually at his next club.
Meanwhile, Les Parisiens are unlikely to let him go on the cheap. Earlier this summer, they rejected an offer worth £26m from Al-Hilal. The club want £51m to consider his summer departure.
Verratti would be a good short-term fix for United, but we would personally prefer the club to pursue Sofyan Amrabat from Fiorentina, who is nearly four years younger than the Italian.
Amrabat is not a tough tackler like Verratti, but he is strong with his distribution and ball control, and would be a perfect player to operate alongside Casemiro in the centre of the park.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Capology.com
