Marco Verratti admits “it would be splendid” to play alongside Andrea Pirlo, while his agent reveals just how close he came to Juventus.
Marco Verratti admits “it would be splendid” to play alongside Andrea Pirlo, while his agent reveals just how close he came to Juventus.
Italy and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Verratti has been linked with Juve for many years and the potential of a future move is still very much present.
“It certainly fills me with pride to be compared to Pirlo, so I am honoured,” Verratti told Fox Sports Italia.
“I definitely still need to improve a great deal. Would I play alongside Pirlo at Juventus? If it were up to me then I’d certainly like it. It would be splendid to be his teammate.”
Verratti’s agent Donato Di Campli also spoke to Sky Sport Italia and revealed this scenario was much closer than anyone had expected.
“It’s no secret that Marco is a Juventus supporter. Juventus and the player had agreed terms, but the Bianconeri couldn’t agree with Pescara because a player as part of the exchange had refused to join the Biancazzurri.
“Troisi’s wages were too high and Juventus didn’t want to pay for part of that, which Pescara would not accept.
“At the foundation of it all, they didn’t believe in the lad. Napoli had also made an important offer for him.”
The Troisi in question is Australian midfielder James Troisi, who Juve sold to Atalanta in August 2012 and is now on loan with Melbourne Victory.