Atlético Madrid in talks with PSG for Marco Verratti, with Liverpool possibly in the wings

L’Équipe report that Spanish side Atlético Madrid are in direct contact with Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain over the possible signing of 30-year-old Italian international midfielder Marco Verratti.

Verratti’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, has been keen to get the Italian to consider his options this summer after 11 straight seasons in the French capital. On PSG’s side, they have determined that everyone is for sale at the club during this window, as they seek to make a definitive break from the past to take the project in a fresh direction under the orders of Luis Enrique.

Atlético Madrid have made Verratti their priority as they seek to sign a central midfielder this summer and are actively in negotiations with PSG over a possible fee structure. However, no formal bid has yet been made by the Spanish outfit. Verratti’s entourage confirms that this is “something interesting,” but did not provide more colour when contacted by the French sports daily.

PSG’s opening salvo in terms of fee demands for the player stand at an eye-watering €80m, with most market observers feeling that Verratti is worth roughly half of that. Atlético Madrid will only proceed in talks if they feel that there is a reasonable fee demand made for the player.

Verratti recently extended his PSG contract until June 2026. During holidays in Cannes with Kylian Mbappé in the off-season, the Italian admitted that he would seriously consider an exit from the club this summer.

L’Équipe add that the player is attracting interest from two unnamed English clubs, one of which could be Liverpool and Saudi 1st division side Al-Hilal, who recently sent a delegation to Paris to meet with Verratti to attempt to convince him of their project. Despite an eye-watering salary offer from the Saudi side, Verratti has so far not entertained conversations around a move to the Middle East.

The idea of a move to Atletico Madrid, under a manager who has admired him for years in Diego Simeone and where he can continue to compete in the Champions’ League, is interesting for Verratti. However, PSG boss Luis Enrique has historically and publicly been a major admirer of the Italian and could yet attempt to convince him to stay. All options are open.

GFFN | James Thorpe