From England: Juventus are still after Verratti

Marco Verratti's name is being mentioned a lot over these past few weeks as his PSG future seems more uncertain than in the past. Juventus as well as Milan and Inter all remain very interested in the young Italian midfielder. Verratti tried to shake off rumors off a potential row between him and PSG coach Unai Emery but the truth is that his future remains in doubt. 

According to English reports and DailyNews24, Marco Verratti is the top priority for Juventus who think he can be the ideal replacement to ex-Juve maestro Andrea Pirlo. They haven't been overly satisfied with Hernanes' performances and with Marchisio still not in top shape, they still need a midfielder. Wistel was one of their main targets last summer but a deal finally failed to happen but as of now, Verratti remains the top target. There is still a lot of time to go and PSG owner Al-Khelaifi won't be easy to negotiate with (as he doesn't need any money) but in the end , it will be up to Marco Verratti .

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Verratti: I Have To Play Well Game After Game

Despite the positive reviews of his performance against Israel, Marco Verratti has said there was nothing special about his play.

The Azzurri beat Israel 3-1 on Monday night in their first 2018 World Cup qualifier, and Verratti began the game in the middle of the field, and his skill throughout the match caught the attention of many critics, including teammate Ciro Immobile.

“I do not think it was the game of my consecration into the national side,” Verratti told Sky Sport Italia.

“Some games might be okay, while some others might be worse, but I have to prove myself game after game.”

The Italians return to domestic football across the next few weeks, before leaving on international duty once more for another World Cup qualifier against Spain.

The Spaniards had the perfect opening round of qualification by thrashing Liechtenstein 8-0.

PSG, Marco Verratti to wear number 10 shirt next season

The future of PSG is in the hands of Marco Verratti. Actually on his shoulders because the Italian midfielder will be wearing the number 10 shirt next season. Zlatan Ibrahimovic had been wearing that number during his four year spell at the club and Verratti will pick up the baton left by the Swedish striker who has just joined Manchester United.

PSG newcomer Hatem Ben Arfa hoped to wear the number 10 shirt, but the club eventually decided to give him to Verratti who could also be Italy’s number 10 shirt under new boss Giampiero Ventura.

Jose Mourinho’s ultimate 2016/17 Man Utd midfield including Marco Verratti

With Marco Verratti reportedly a target for Manchester United, our local Red Devils fans in the Transfer Tavern are already turning their attention to what their team’s line-up could look like come next season.

The PSG is a clever midfielder who isn’t scared to put in a challenge, and would add some much needed bite to a team that is desperate to be the Premier League champions once more.

2015/16 saw a pretty dismal campaign for United with only an FA Cup win to brighten the mood, but bigger things are expected now that Louis van Gaal and his dour football have left the club.

The Old Trafford faithful are highly expectant of what new manager Jose Mourinho can do for their club, and who he can bring in and perhaps with the possible signing of Verratti the Portuguese is targeting improvements to his side’s midfield.

So who might join Verratti in the centre of the park? Our landlord brings you Mourinho’s ultimate midfield for next season……

Italy midfielder Marco Verratti out of Euro 2016 due to groin surgery

The Italy midfielder Marco Verratti is to miss Euro 2016 after opting to undergo surgery to fix a groin problem.

The Paris Saint-Germain player, who would have been a key part of Antonio Conte’s first XI at the tournament, missed two months of the season between mid-February and mid-April before returning to the side for two late substitute appearances last month.

That had raised hopes of a recovery before the tournament but the decision to have surgery puts paid to Verratti’s chances.

“In agreement with Paris Saint-Germain, Marco Verratti has decided to undergo surgery to heal the groin problem that he has been suffering from for several weeks,” PSG said in a statement.

“The operation will take place in Doha on 16 May at the Aspetar Centre – the club’s official medical partner. The midfielder, who recently extended his contract until 2020, is expected to be sidelined for eight weeks.

“As a result Marco Verratti will play no part in Paris Saint-Germain’s final matches of the season, or Euro 2016, to be held in France between 10 June and 10 July. Paris Saint-Germain wishes the player a speedy recovery and hopes he will soon be fully fit and back to his best for both club and country.”

Why Marco Verratti Is the PSG Player Who Will Make International Leap in 2016

If 2016 has been a frustrating year for Marco Verratti’s club career, the Italian midfielder has cut a figure of frustration for four years when it comes to his time in the international setup.

Former Juventus manager Antonio Conte took over as Italy boss from Cesare Prandelli after the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, and in the 17 games the 46-year-old has been in charge for—including Friday’s 1-1 draw with Spain in Udine—Verratti has only played seven times for 488 minutes. That’s just under 70 minutes per game.

In the same time in Ligue 1, the 23-year-old has played 49 games, becoming not only an integral part of the Paris Saint-Germain squad, but one of the best passing midfielders in the world. It seems criminal that he has played such a small role in Conte’s Italy side.

Verratti is the type of player you can build a team around, so you would have thought when Andrea Pirlo retired from international football that would have been his chance, but Conte managed to convince the former Juventus player back into action.

After the disappointing performances at the World Cup in Brazil, there was an opportunity to build a new era in Italian football, but Conte has kept with the old guard for his UEFA Euro 2016 campaign.

“Marco is a player with important potential, he must continue with the same desire and passion,” Conte told Canal Plus back in February, via Football Italia. "You can see that he lives for football with passion. He has already excelled technically, he’s also developed physically and has great personality."

But Italy can’t wait, they need Marco to be a leader right away.

They are surprising comments about a player who is already a leader for one of the biggest sides in Europe at the moment. Injuries have hampered some of his chances at making an impact, but there have been games when the little Italian has had to sit on the bench.

It’s all well and good Conte demanding leadership from the PSGmidfielder, but he needs to put him in a situation to excel, and that includes having the right players around him. He’s not Pirlo, he’s not got that same attacking instinct, but if they put their trust in him like Laurent Blanc has, it’s unlikely the former Pescara player will let them down.

“Verratti developed greatly at PSG,” Conte commented after the 1-0 win over Bulgaria in September, via Football Italia. “He became a player with a European dimension, but he must learn to play vertically and speed up the game.”

In Conte’s 3-5-2, Verratti would be perfect at the base of a midfield three. You could play Claudio Marchisio beside him to be the ball winner and then play someone with more of an attacking instinct to bring balance to the centre of the pitch.

Verratti missed March's international friendlies due to injury, with PSGhoping he will be back and fit for the UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash with Manchester City in April. That means his first game back for the Azzurri could be the friendly against Scotland—as part of their Euro 2016 buildup.

Playing against Belgium, Sweden and Ireland, Italy should have enough to qualify for the quarter-finals, but with Verratti at the helm, they could become a European great once again.

Conte announced in March he will leave the job after the European Championships, per Football Italia. It may be that Verratti has to wait until his departure before finally getting his chance to become as vital to his country as he is for his club—but with the quality he has, it’s unthinkable that he won’t blossom into a top international midfielder.

Club OFFICIALLY Make £30m Approach For Intelligent Midfield Star As The Fans Go Crazy On Twitter

Marco Verratti could be on his way out of Paris Saint-Germaine if the French Ligue 1 giants end up signing Paul Pogba in this January transfer window and Verratti could very well end up at Old Trafford.

According to recent reports, PSG are closely chasing the transfer of Pogba and Verratti is not ready to drag it put for a starting place with Pogba and might just make the switch to another club with Manchester United likely to be his preferred destination.

The 23-year-old Italy international has been said to be pinning for a move to the English Premier League for a while now but does not want to force the move and has been patiently waiting to see which of the interested Premier League clubs will make a bid for him this January with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United all interested.

Manchester United now look to be leading the race to sign him as they have been after the player the longest and have not stopped monitoring him in the French League.

If United sign such a player, he could do wonders to their midfield and make the Red Devils title contenders again but it all remains to be seen if Paris Saint-Germaine will sign Pogba and if Verratti will sign for United but it is looking likely with United said to be ready to sell Fellaini to Juventus, maybe to replace Pogba when he leaves.

Verratti can match Pirlo - Ferrara

The former Italy international believes the Paris Saint-German star can emulate the legendary midfielder in the national team

Italy midfielder Marco Verratti is capable of replacing Andrea Pirlo as the national team's star midfielder, according to Ciro Ferrara.

Verratti, 23, has made 15 appearances for the national team and is sure to play an important role for Antonio Conte's team at Euro 2016.

Pirlo, a 116-time international, is still part of the Italy setup after reversing his decision to retire following the 2014 World Cup.

Former Italy international Ferrara believes Verratti, now at Paris Saint-Germain, is capable of being the star man for Italy – just as Pirlo has done for over a decade.

"He left Italy, which is something that often happens with the best players from the Italian league," Ferrera told Omnisport.

"He left to join an important league, but not as important as maybe the English, Spanish or even the German one.

"We let him go too easily and we are talking about the only player in my opinion who can someday aspire to replace Andrea Pirlo, one of the most important players in Italy's recent history.

"Verratti is a player of great personality, small but at the same time mean. Again he has a big personality, but he didn't obtain it now, he had it already five or six years ago."

The 48-year-old feels Verratti will feature in a more advanced role than deep-sitting Pirlo, but said they are both reliable in possession.

"Even back in 2010-12, Marco showed all his natural ability when handling the ball and showed fantastic vision on the pitch," Ferrera said.

"But Verratti was already coming from a great season with Pescara, where he did great things. It's important to mention that he started as a trequartista and then he was switched to more of a playmaker role.