Paris Saint-Germain have presented new signing Marco Verratti to the media after his move from Pescara. “PSG were my first choice.”
Paris Saint-Germain have presented new signing Marco Verratti to the media after his move from Pescara. “PSG were my first choice.”
The 19-year-old was being linked with moves to Juventus” data-scaytid=”5″>Juventus and Napoli, but neither club were wiling to pay the €12m asking price.
“PSG were the only club who really chased me with insistence and I told my agent that they were my first choice,” he stated this afternoon. “It was easy to choose Paris.
“There is more faith abroad in youngsters, but there is not only Italy for Italians. I didn’t hesitate for a second in accepting this offer.
“I’m proud to be here, but I think Italian clubs should point more towards youth.
“I still haven’t achieved what the champions already at this club have, but I want to demonstrate that I can do well by giving my best in each game.”
Verratti is the latest Italian-based player to be acquired by PSG sporting director Leonardo and he’s looking forward to the challenge.
“Playing with people like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Javier Pastore and the others, is something I’m proud of,” he noted.
“I’m delighted with this new adventure, I can’t wait for the season to start.
“I owe a lot to this club, opportunities like this don’t happen every day to a 19-year-old and I’ll look to pay back PSG for this faith.
“It’s a physical championship, but it is growing. I’m certain that we will be protagonists as that is what we want.”
The French outfit are bossed by Italian tactician Carlo Ancelotti, but Verratti’s contact with the Coach has been minimal so far.
“I haven’t spoken that much to Ancelotti,” he added. “I want my football to do the talking.”