Donato Di Campli, Marco Verratti’s former agent has taken off an outstanding jab about life at Paris Saint Germain. He described the club as a prison.
The Italian former agent claims that the French powerhouse used blackmail to stop Marco Verratti from joining FC Barcelona in La Liga.
What happened?
Donato Di Campli’s statement came following a story surrounding the club’s frontman Kylian Mbappe’s future, as the former AS Monaco informed the club that he will not extend his contract amid transfer links with Real Madrid.
Paris Saint Germain have been in the middle of several rumors, especially with all the speculations about the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner Kylain Mbappe.
The Frenchman’s deal will expire in the summer of 2024, and there has been enormous rumors that he could be on the move to the Spanish capital.
Meanwhile, the French club side does not want to lose the current Ligue 1 winner on a free transfer when his contract expires next summer.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the club president has validated that the 24-year-old forward is open to letting Mbappe leave the French capital in the ongoing transfer window.
Mbappe may be forced out of the club by its upper management. But a few years ago, things looked differently as the French side fought tirelessly to tie Mbappe to a new deal in 2022 to prevent him from moving to Real Madrid.
In line with the turn of events, agent Donato Di Campli speculated that PSG did the same to his former client Marco Verratti.
Di Campli now professes that when the Italian International wanted to transfer to Barcelona, the current Ligue 1 champions made it obvious that he would be fired by the midfielder.
The Italy midfielder did change agents in the summer of 2017, signing with Mino Raiola’s organization, but the reasons behind the move have never been established.
Speaking with reporters Donato Di Campli 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 decided to go to Barcelona. That, obviously, the emir did not like”.
He added “Al Khelaifi even to 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”.
The question of whether or not PSG will issue a formal denial of the allegations remains open.
Marco Verratti with Paris Saint Germain
Verratti, an Italian midfielder, has been with PSG since 2012 when he was acquired from Pescara.
He has already played 416 times for the club across all competitions, contributing to 61 goals.
Verratti has been an integral part of PSG’s team for many years, during which time they have won nine Ligue 1 championships and six French Cup competitions.
What’s next for Marco Verratti and PSG?
Verratti will suit up for PSG in their pre-season matches as they get ready to take on teams like Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, and Inter Milan.
In preparation for their forthcoming pre-season fixtures, some PSG players have returned to training.
On Friday, July 21, they’ll play Le Havre in their pre-season opener, and on Tuesday, July 25, they’ll take on Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.
Even though the Portuguese superstar and Mbappe could be playing against each other, the off-field drama with PSG is sure to steal the show.
