PSG midfielder Marco Verratti has officially completed his move to Qatari side Al-Arabi SC following the Italian being told he is not needed at the Parc Des Princes.
This comes as a huge blow for Al-Hilal and indeed Al-Ahli after it seemed that both Saudi sides were keen on signing the former Pescara midfielder.
Verratti was reportedly keen on a move to the Saudi Pro League according to L’Equipe but the deal never materialised so the Italian decided to move to an equally minted state in Qatar, where the 2022 World Cup was hosted last Winter.
Verratti has been a mainstay in PSG’s midfield for over a decade. Having arrived from Pescara in 2012, the ‘Little Owl’ went on to make 416 appearances for Les Parisiens, scoring 11 goals and registering 61 assists.
Al-Hilal were seemingly the closest to signing the tenacious and superb midfielder.
After they agreed personal terms with the Italian a few months back, it seemed that the deal was on the verge of being completed but the two clubs couldn’t complete the agreement, perhaps due to the political tension between the two states.
Verratti’s statement on leaving PSG
The Italian midfielder will join the Qatari side for a fee in the region of €45 million, one which was deemed not enough when Al-Hilal made a similar offer for the Italian midfielder.
“I was very proud to wear PSG’s colours for over a decade, to play alongside big players, and to win 30 trophies. Paris, the club and its supporters will always have a special place in my heart. I will always be Parisian,” he told the PSG website.
Al-Hilal already have Sergej Milinkovic Savic and Ruben Neves at their disposal but will have to lick their wounds following their failed attempt to sign the 30-year-old midfielder.