MARCO VERRATTI has revealed he’s snubbed interest from Real Madrid to stay put at Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
The Italian midfielder has only just recovered after missing six months with a groin injury, but was linked with a big-money move to Real earlier in the week.
Los Blancos appear to have missed out on Juventus ace Paul Pogba, who is set to return to Manchester United for a world-record transfer fee worth £112million.
And Zinedine Zidane has earmarked Verratti as an alternative after being priced out of a move by Jose Mourinho – although The Special One was also tracking the 23-year-old throughout June.
Real have made just one signing so far after bringing Alvaro Morata back from Turin, and are determined to make some good progress in the remainder of the transfer window.
Barcelona have moved for four while Atletico Madrid have just completed a £28m deal for Sevilla forward Kevin Gameiro, and Real know business must be done in order to win their first La Liga title since 2012.
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But Zidane will be forced to look elsewhere after Verratti insisted he would be staying with PSG until their dream of winning the Champions League is realised, and Real could now move for Juventus target and Chelsea anchorman Nemanja Matic instead.
He told Le Parisien: “It’s been four years that I have been in Paris. I begin my fifth year. Until we have won the Champions League, I want to stay here. That’s the goal I set myself.
“I want to win with this team because it’s like a family. It’s nice when a big team like Real Madrid is interested in you, but I decided to win with Paris.”
Chelsea anchorman Nemanja Matic has also been linked with a move to Real
However, there could yet be some business conducted between the two clubs, with PSG chasing a deal for Real striker Jese.
Unai Emery needs a new forward after Zlatan Ibrahimovic left for United, and versatile Jese – a target for English duo Liverpool and Arsenal – would fit the bill perfectly alongside Uruguay star Edinson Cavani.
Emery said: “It’s a possibility, as are other opportunities in the transfer window. I know Jese well, the club knows Jese well, he is a good player.”
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