Verratti-PSG, war of nerves “Monstrous offer from De Laurentiis”

Verratti-day started just after 11:00 this morning. That’s when Donato Di Campli, Marco Verratti’s agent, met with PSG General Manager Jean Claude Blanc at the Parc des Princes. The future of the Italy star, one of the most sough-after midfield players this transfer window despite still being only 20 years old, was the topic of the day. The player wants a better deal following his impressive first season in Paris, while Juventus and Fiorentina are waiting in the wings. They are ready to put in bids should the player not be able to reach an agreement with PSG. This morning Napoli also entered the race to sign Verratti, as confirmed by Di Campli on Gazzetta.it: “There’s a monstrous offer on the table from De Laurentiis.”

The meeting — The meeting, at the Parc des Princes, started just after 11:00. An adjustment to Verratti’s financial package was discussed, although reports of a ‘twist’ soon filtered through: PSG are said to be willing to write a buy-out clause into Verratti’s new deal. It's a twist that, should the clause actually reflect the player’s true value on the transfer market, may play into the hands of the Italian clubs. The meeting ended after almost 2 hours, but no agreement was reached: the player and PSG are still a long way off rubberstamping a deal.

The agent — “We’re still some way off reaching an agreement,” Donato Di Campli told reporters from Gazzetta.it as he left the meeting. “Negotiations have to continue, even if I’m not very optimistic or hopeful. The fact is that Marco still has a 4-year contract with PSG, even if we’re not short of options. Just this morning a monstrous offer arrived from De Laurentiis. Marco merely wants recognition of the fact that he is an important player (at the club).” He went on: “The discussions this morning weren’t to our satisfaction, so we’ll meet up again next week. We’ll speak with Marco and his family, and then decide.”

Blanc — Jean Claude Blanc was much more prudent following the meeting. “It must be said that Marco is still a PSG player and that he still has 4 years to run on his contract. We’re in discussions. I’m optimistic and hopeful. We want to prove to Marco that he has our utmost respect and that we’re happy with the things he’s done here so far.”