Paris Saint-Germain and Italy midfielder Marco Verratti has emerged as Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho’s top transfer target this summer, according to the Daily Mirror. The British publication writes that Mourinho wants to make Verratti his “marquee summer signing,” and part of a midfield troika with Paul Pogba and Fred.
United’s midfield will get an overhaul this summer as Michael Carrick is now retired and part of the coaching staff, while Marouane Fellaini looks set to exit the club. Thus you knew some midfielder shopping was going to be done this summer.
According to multiple reports, United’s first summer signing will be the aforementioned Fred, a Brazilian midfielder with Shakhtar Donetsk. An announcement could come this week, setting the stage for Verratti to join up next. He certainly won’t come cheap.
If the Mirror are to be believed, his transfer fee would shatter the English football transfer fee record (currently held by someone already in United’s midfield, the aforementioned Pogba)
United were quoted £100 million when they enquired about the Italy star last summer and a similar fee would be needed to prise him away from the French giants.
Should Mourinho get his way, then Verratti would be paired with Brazilian Fred, the Shakhtar Donetsk star, who is also a target.
The article goes on to say that Verratti is also being targeted by West Ham United and their new manager Manuel Pellegrini.
Imagine that midfield triad playing for United- it would be fierce! The group would also carry around with them massive pressure and expectations, as they would potentially cost, as a group, well over £200 million! Nothing short of winning major trophies, and lots of them, would be expected when you have that kind of investment in the club.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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