Transfer Story
According to Italian news source Tuttomercatoweb, Manchester City are plotting a late move for Marco Verratti. The PSG midfielder has been long linked with a move away from Paris and as we approach the final week of the summer transfer window, the Premier League club are still looking for the elusive second major signing of the summer.
The Sky Blues have been chasing a holding midfielder throughout the summer but have failed in their pursuit of Fred and Jorginho, both of who have joined their league rivals Manchester United and Chelsea respectively. Thus, Verratti has been identified as a top target for a Manchester City side who have remained relatively quiet in this transfer window.
Player stats and attributes
Highly regarded as arguably the best central midfielder playing in the Ligue 1, Verratti is a classy operator who is a tailor-made fit for Guardiola’s unique style of play.
He is extremely proficient in passing and ball-circulation which is coupled with his extraordinary vision in the central areas of the pitch. What he lacks in physicality, he makes up for it with his intelligence in midfield, which makes him one of the most sought-after midfielders in world football.
However, that’s not to say that Verratti struggles in the defensive aspect of his game. In fact, the 25-year-old averaged 4.3 attempted tackles last season along with just over one interception per game. He also averages over two dribbles and most importantly, over one key passes per game, making him the ultimate package in central midfield.
Why Manchester City need Marco Verratti?
Verratti will be a valuable signing for Manchester City given his quality and their lack of depth in the holding midfield position.
Indeed! Fernandinho is Guardiola’s only reliable option in that particular area of the pitch with Ilkay Gundogan often suffering from injury issues. And even then, the Brazilian international has already entered the final phase of his career and is coming on the back of an awful 2018 World Cup campaign with Brazil.
Therefore, the Premier League champions are in dire need of a quality holding midfielder, who can not only replace Fernandinho but also eclipse his performances in the past couple of seasons. And Verratti fits the bill like no other.
Pep believes in adding more quality in his squad, especially after he wins a league title(which is often). And while the attack has been suitably tended to, someone like Verratti can help City step up another level altogether.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored