Tom Rofekamp
Latest update:
Marco Verratti wants to return to Europe. And not just like that: the Al Arabi midfielder has offered himself to FC Barcelona, which tried to sign him in the distant past. The Spanish superpower only has doubts. It is feared that a year in Qatar has not done Verratti any good.
The 31-year-old Italian exchanged Paris Saint-Germain last summer for a lucrative adventure with Al-Arabi, who transferred 45 million for him. However, after a year, Verratti saw it again.
His management therefore approached Spotify Camp Nou, asking whether Barça was still interested in an experienced midfielder. It did, provided it passed the quality inspection.
The Catalans are still in the middle of that inspection and can't figure it out. Barça fears that the Qatari league has played tricks on Verratti.
The Qatar Stars League is not very highly regarded globally and, in Barça's opinion, is a world of difference from LaLiga. Still know los Azulgranas what Verratti ever could.
Verratti would be willing to make a significant salary sacrifice to fulfill his boyhood dream. In 2017, PSG owner Nasser Al-Khelaïfi put an end to a transfer to Barcelona. Ultimately, Verratti would remain in Paris until last summer, with 416 official matches to his name. He won the national title nine times and achieved second place in the Champions League in 2020.
So far, Verratti has collected seventeen appearances in Qatari service. The 2020 European champion did not score, but he did provide seven assists and picked up just as many yellow cards. It is unknown whether Barça would have to pay a transfer fee for him. For example, Jordan Henderson had his contract terminated in neighboring Saudi Arabia to effect a transfer to Ajax.
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