MANCHESTER UNITED are poised to launch a stunning British transfer record bid for Paris St Germain star Marco Verratti, according to a number of sources.
Italian paper Courier dello Sport claim the Red Devils will offer the French side £79million for the midfielder.
The source added that PSG team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic – who appears destined to move to United – wants Verratti to join him at Old Trafford.
Not surprisingly, the Ligue 1 champions are desperate not to lose another key man and, with Verratti’s contract not ending until 2020, they are determined to ward off any interest.
New United boss Jose Mourinho, however, sees the 23-year-old as an important part of his new-look midfield and the Italian paper suggesst the Red Devils are prepared to offer the creative and technically gifted playmaker a staggering £6.7m a season in wages in a bid to lure him to England.
Were PSG to accept United’s bid, it would represent a massive profit on a player they signed from Italian outfit Pescara for just £9.5m in 2012.
Verratti made his debut for Italy the same year but is not part of their Euro 2016 squad, having recently had a groin operation following an injury-interrupted campaign.
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