Manchester United could make stunning bid for Italian midfielder

A rather strange transfer rumour is being spread by Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport this evening. They claim Manchester United are on the verge of making a frankly ridiculous money-no-object bid for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti, reportedly in the region of €100 million, or around £79 million. They claim he's a big favourite of José Mourinho, while Zlatan Ibrahimović is also apparently keen to see his PSG teammate join him in Manchester.

There's no doubt Verratti is a mighty fine player, and would be an excellent addition to the United midfield. Though he's not the biggest or strongest, he's a fine deep-lying playmaker, and would be a ready-made replacement for Michael Carrick. However, there's simply no justification for paying that kind of money. It would perhaps be justifiable for Paul Pogba, who is perhaps unparalleled in his ability to seize a game by the scruff of the neck and bend it to his will. Verratti, though very good, just isn't worth that kind of sum.

And so, we'd be surprised if there was much to this rumour. Its source isn't as reliable as Sky Italia's Gianluca Di Marzio or the peninsula's most famous sports daily, La Gazzetta dello Sport, and so we should take it with a pinch of salt -- to say the least.