Bad news for Barcelona as Marco Verratti’s Man United move may be on

Barcelona, Man United & Marco Verratti

A huge new transfer rumours has bubbled up: it’s being claimed PSG star Marco Verratti could join Man United.

Verratti, a 24-year-old Italian international midfielder, has been heavily linked with an exit from the Parc des Princes this summer, with Spanish giants Barcelona named as his most likely destination.

However, to this point, Ernesto Valverde’s side have been unable to come to an agreement with PSG over a fee for Verratti, with the French club repeatedly stating that their star midfielder is not for sale at any price.

Despite the insistence on the part of the capital side, though, multiple reports last week claimed that PSG could in fact part ways with Verratti, but only for an offer of 100 million euros plus.

Mino Raiola FC

So where have the Verratti to Man United links come from?

Spanish paper Sport got the ball rolling announcing that the Italian is looking to switch agents so that Mino Raiola can now manage his affairs.

Raiola, of course, is known for his strong ties to Old Trafford. In recent seasons the former pizza boy has taken Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Manchester.

Could Verratti be Raiola’s next client who moves to the Theatre of Dreams?
United’s midfield search

At the same time, it’s been clear throughout the summer that Jose Mourinho is looking to sign a new centre-mid.

But the midfield market is shrinking fast.

Tiemoue Bakayoko has joined Chelsea, Tottenham appear determined to hold onto Eric Dier, Chelsea seem to be baulking at a deal for Nemanja Matic, while links to players like Julian Weigl feel weak.

Elsewhere, Belgium international star Radja Nainggolan is poised to agree a new deal with Roma, while the likes of Toni Kroos and Naby Keita have also loosely been linked to United in recent days.

Could Verratti be the ideal target for United?

So what’s the story?

Aside from Sport’s claim that Verratti could team up with Raiola, Italian news outlet Tuttomercatoweb have claimed that Man United have enquired as to the classy midfielder’s availability, with club scout Jose Mayorga initiating the talks.

United are also mentioned as ‘one of the few teams in the world that can meet PSG’s demands’ for the Blaugrana target, though it remains to be seen whether the club would be willing to splash out 100 million Euro plus on Verratti.