PSG star ‘gives ok’ to Klopp as Liverpool prepare to beat Atletico to name on their ‘priority list’
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti has agreed to join Liverpool this summer ahead of Atletico Madrid, according to reports.
The Reds have already brought in two new midfielders this summer in the form of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton and Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig.
But news that Jordan Henderson and Fabinho could both leave for Saudi Arabia this summer with Liverpool set to earn around £52m from the two transactions.
A deal for Henderson to join up with former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq is imminent, while the Reds have given Fabinho permission to talk to Al-Ittihad after they made a £40m bid.
There were reports that the Brazilian’s move to the Saudi Pro League champions was in ‘jeopardy’ but Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the deal is “still on”.
Romano wrote in his Caught Offside column on Wednesday: “I’m told this deal is absolutely still on, but it was never “done”. Verbally it is very advanced, Al Ittihad are still preparing documents and there can’t be any green light without contracts check.
“That’s the key point now, checking all the documents and details of the deal, including payment terms. But the deal, as of now, remains on. Bayern Munich also called last week to be informed on the Fabinho deal in case it collapses.”
Southampton’s Romeo Lavia seems to be their main target to improve midfielder with Liverpool set to make an improved offer closer to the £50m package which the Saints are looking for.
But now Spanish publication Nacional claim that Italy midfielder Verratti ‘is not comfortable with Luis Enrique’s project’ at PSG and ‘this has led him to want to leave’ Paris this summer.
Verratti wants to ‘try his luck in a much more demanding and competitive competition’ than Ligue 1 and the 30-year-old ‘has contacted many top clubs’ to inform them,
Real Madrid have been contacted but they ‘do not consider it necessary at all to incorporate a new midfielder’ into Carlo Ancelotti’s side after signing Jude Bellingham.
The Italy international will ‘not be cheap at all’ but Liverpool has him on their ‘priority list’ this summer with Jurgen Klopp an admirer of the midfielder.
It is understood that Verratti ‘gives the OK to Klopp’ and is refusing to ‘wait ‘ for Atletico Madrid to make their move.
The former Pescara midfielder took ‘very little time to give the OK to the option of landing at Anfield’ and all that remains is for Liverpool to ‘reach an agreement with PSG’.
