Football
Mark Rodden 8y

Marco Verratti to sign new PSG deal amid Barcelona, Bayern links

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti has confirmed that he expects to sign another new deal with the French champions rather than leave for a team like Barcelona or Bayern Munich.

Verratti, 23, has developed into one of Europe's most talented central midfielders and last year he extended his contract until 2019.

The Italy international's agent, Donato Di Campli, claimed earlier this season that his client could be worth €100 million but the player has still been linked with a move away from the French capital.

Barcelona legend Xavi recently said that the former Pescara midfielder would fit in perfectly at Barcelona and last month Verratti cooled speculation linking him with a switch to Real Madrid.

Juventus are also said to be interested and Verratti has now played down the idea that he could join Bayern Munich, who will be coached by his former PSG manager Carlo Ancelotti next season.

Verratti instead confirmed Di Campli's comments from last week which suggested that they were in negotiations with PSG over what would be the player's third contract extension in quick succession.

"I'm now at Paris Saint-Germain and I feel good in Paris," Verratti told Il Centro newspaper in his home town of Pescara.

When asked specifically about potential moves to either Barcelona or Bayern, he said: "No, I'll stay in Paris and will soon renew my contract."

Next year Verratti is hoping that runaway Ligue 1 leaders PSG will get past Chelsea in the Champions League round of 16 and go better than last season's quarterfinal exit at the hands of eventual winners Barcelona.

He also hopes that Italy can impress at Euro 2016 by first negotiating a group that also includes Belgium, Sweden and Republic of Ireland.

He said: "[Next year] will be an important year both for PSG, because we want to finish as high as possible, and for the Italian national team in view of the European Championships.

"I hope that Italy will be the surprise of the competition."

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