Former agent for Marco Verratti, Donato Di Campli, has alleged that Paris Saint-Germain attempted “blackmail” to prevent the midfielder from signing with Barcelona.
The shocking allegations are made in the midst of a controversy regarding Kylian Mbappe’s future, as he has informed the team that he won’t sign a new deal due to Real Madrid rumours.
Di Campli now asserts that PSG made it plain to the midfielder that he would be fired if Verratti moved to Barcelona.
The Italy midfielder did move agents in 2017, joining Mino Raiola’s team, but the reasons behind that decision have never been established.
Speaking to Relevo, the agent said: “In Paris the players are imprisoned, you never do what they want but the club; it’s a prison and there is blackmail.
“PSG’s attitude is always blackmail. We had decided to go to Barcelona. That, obviously, the emir did not like. Al Khelaifi even told me that if I kept trying to do the operation with Barca, Verratti was going to let me (go).
And that’s how it ended up happening. I’m sure Marco was scared, he won’t admit it, but that’s how it is.”
Verratti is set to play for PSG in pre-season as they prepare for games against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr and Inter Milan.