Marco Verratti changes agent to Mino Raiola and is linked with stunning Manchester United move after Barcelona links
Italian has been linked with a move to Barcelona but United have now been thrown into the mix
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MANCHESTER UNITED have joined Barcelona in the race for Paris Saint-Germain star Marco Verratti after the Italian hired Mino Raiola as his agent.
The Italian has dumped his representative and recruited super-agent Raiola instead.
And that could see Verratti move to Old Trafford as Raiola is well known for his links to the club.
The Dutchman oversaw Paul Pogba's world record £89million move, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan joining the club.
And the report suggests that could mean Verratti could end up moving to Manchester.
Barcelona are still the favourites to land the PSG star and have even reportedly offered either Ivan Rakitic or Andre Gomes to sweeten the deal.
Agent Donato Di Campli had hit out at PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi, claiming that Verratti was a “prisoner of the Emir at PSG."
But Verratti hit back, saying: “I saw what my agent said and I just want to say that they are not my words at all.
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Marco Verratti factfile
- He was born in Pescara, Italy in 1992.
- The 24-year-old played for Manoppello, Manoppello Arabona and Pescara at youth level.
- Verratti played for Pescara from for four years after turning proffessional in 2008.
- He then joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2012, for a reported £10.5millon.
- Verratti represented Italy at U19s, U20s and at Under 21s level before playing for the seniors.
- The midfielder has won Ligue 1 four times
- Verratti is known for being a sharp, agile and technical midfielder.
“I want to apologise to everyone at the club: the president, the fans and the players.
“I am very happy here. We go back to training now. I am thrilled to be back here and start working again.
“I know the club trusts me and I really want to apologise once again.
“I have a lot of respect for Paris Saint-Germain. I became the player I am today thanks to the club and that’s why I am deeply sorry.
“They were not my words and he (my agent) made a big mistake.
“I hope that this will not happen again … I will do my best as I always do for the club.”