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Arsenal could seal surprise deal to sign Marco Verratti

By Ritayan Chatterjee on August 15, 2024

Arsenal could reportedly seal a surprise deal to sign Marco Verratti before the end of this transfer window, as per the transfer journalist Graeme Bailey.

The Gunners are keen on strengthening the midfield department this summer and have prioritised signing Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad after being linked with a host of options over the last few weeks.

However, reporting on HITC, Bailey has reported that Arsenal have been offered the chance to sign Verratti so they could seal his signature this summer.

After leaving Paris Saint-Germain last summer, the 31-year-old joined Qatari side Al-Arabi on a two-year deal. However, having spent only 12 months in the Middle East, the Italian is already looking to return to Europe.

The journalist says that apart from Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City have also been presented with an opportunity to sign him.

Verratti to Arsenal

Verratti agreed on a two-year deal with a salary package of £576,000-a-week with AL-Arabi however, Arsenal are unlikely to match that number if they opt to make a concrete approach to sign him. Therefore, the Italian will have to take a pay cut to move back to Europe as no club is likely to give him that enormous wage.

The Italian is a technically gifted player and is efficient in playing out against high-pressing teams. Additionally, he is capable of taking set-pieces and also has an eye for long-range passing.

So, his addition might increase the North London club’s technical ability and add depth to the engine room. However, he was never a physically dominant player and at his current age his physical ability is likely to decline even more.

Therefore, he might not be suited to play in the Premier League so Arsenal would be better off staying away from this deal. However, it is going to be interesting to see whether the North London club eventually opt to make a concrete approach to sign him before the end of this transfer window.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have been relatively quiet in this window as after making David Raya’s loan move permanent, they have only signed Riccardo Calafiori thus far.