PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN midfielder Marco Verratti feels no footballer is worth the €105 million Manchester United paid Juventus for Paul Pogba.
United broke the transfer record previously held by Gareth Bale following his €100m move from Tottenham to Real Madrid in 2013 to lure Pogba back to Old Trafford ahead of the 2016-17 campaign.
Verratti has also been valued at €100m by some, with his agent stating last year that he was worth as much as Pogba, while United were said to be interested in paying that figure to sign him before they landed the France midfielder.
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However, the Italy international believes it is time to put things into perspective, stating that no player can live up to the expectations such a fee brings.
“I am not worth €100 million,” Verratti was quoted as saying by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
We are just playing football. These amounts of money make me laugh. No one is worth that much.
“And I think it is bad for the players for whom such fees are paid as well because people expect impossible things.”
Verratti, 24, has been linked with a move to Madrid on more than one occasion, and has previously admitted that he is aware of interest from the Champions League holders. The midfielder, though, insists he is happy in the French capital.
I always tell those who say I should join Real Madrid that maybe they are right, but that there are more important things in life,” he added.
“I am part of a big family at PSG, with a project that I have been involved in for five years.
We are still behind three or four teams [in Europe], but that only serves as motivation. At PSG, the means are there to reach the very top and I would not mind becoming captain here.”
Verratti joined PSG from Pescara after winning Serie B in 2012. He has since won four Ligue 1 titles and, after signing a new contract this year, is tied to the French club until 2021.
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I'm not worth €100 million, says PSG star
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN midfielder Marco Verratti feels no footballer is worth the €105 million Manchester United paid Juventus for Paul Pogba.
United broke the transfer record previously held by Gareth Bale following his €100m move from Tottenham to Real Madrid in 2013 to lure Pogba back to Old Trafford ahead of the 2016-17 campaign.
Verratti has also been valued at €100m by some, with his agent stating last year that he was worth as much as Pogba, while United were said to be interested in paying that figure to sign him before they landed the France midfielder.
However, the Italy international believes it is time to put things into perspective, stating that no player can live up to the expectations such a fee brings.
“I am not worth €100 million,” Verratti was quoted as saying by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“And I think it is bad for the players for whom such fees are paid as well because people expect impossible things.”
Verratti, 24, has been linked with a move to Madrid on more than one occasion, and has previously admitted that he is aware of interest from the Champions League holders. The midfielder, though, insists he is happy in the French capital.
“I am part of a big family at PSG, with a project that I have been involved in for five years.
Verratti joined PSG from Pescara after winning Serie B in 2012. He has since won four Ligue 1 titles and, after signing a new contract this year, is tied to the French club until 2021.
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Gareth Bale honesty Marco Verratti Paul Pogba Manchester United PSG