PSG star's transfer saga to END after SHOCK Saudi U-turn
Tom Weber
- 2 Aug 2023 14:09 BST
- 3 min read
Paris Saint-Germain appear to have softened their stance regarding Marco Verratti's potential transfer to the Saudi Pro League, according to French media.
The Italian emerged as a surprise target for Saudi giants Al-Hilal last week, but Nasser Al-Khelaifi scuppered any possibility of a move materialising at that point. Though Verratti was ready to jump at the chance to join the Riyadh-based club, the PSG chief demanded 'way more' than the €30 million Al-Hilal were reportedly ready to put on the table.
La Gazzetta dello Sport subsequently reported that the Qatari bigwig was asking for as much as €80m for the midfielder who has been one of the faces of Al-Khelaifi's PSG project for over a decade.
READ: Inter Miami star reveals Messi's weakness
French media now claim that PSG are prepared to budge from their asking price and that a new challenger has emerged to take Verratti off their hands.
Al-Ahli keen
According to RMC, PSG may be ready to accept a bid in the region of €50-60m, which French media outlets have called a surprisingly low amount. They explain this change of heart with the fact that PSG do not consider any players untouchable anymore after the Kylian Mbappe drama.
Additionally, PSG recognise that Verratti's performances have dropped in recent times and they are also not pleased about his flashy lifestyle, claims Footmercato.
Besides Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli are now also being credited with an interest in the Italian, though he is said to still prefer a move to the former after they offered him an annual salary of €52m last week.
MORE: Saudi Pro League summer transfers 2023: All the Done Deals
Al-Ahli recently announced highly-rated up-and-coming coach Matthias Jaissle as their new boss after signing Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, Allan Saint-Maximin and Edouard Mendy.
Al-Hilal, for their part, have previous with PSG, having made a world-record offer €300m Kylian Mbappe offer that was accepted by the club but rejected by the player.
