Manchester City set sights on signing Paris Saint-Germain midfielder

Manchester City are reportedly looking to pursue the signature of Marco Verratti from Paris Saint-Germain this month.

Citizens boss Pep Guardiola is believed to be keen on signing a new defensive midfielder this summer after missing out on Jorginho, who joined Chelsea earlier in the transfer window.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, the Mancunian giants are considering a move for the Frenchman before the transfer deadline but the deal hinges on Verratti expressing his desire to leave Les Parisiens.

Verratti has come for plenty of criticism from the French media over the years and he has nevertheless stayed put with Les Parisiens, who are aiming to compete for European honours next term.

City paid a club-record £60m fee to sign Riyad Mahrez from Manchester City last month and Paris Saint-Germain are certain to demand much more, if the Italian pushes for a summer exit.

League rivals Manchester United have also been linked with Verratti in the past but their interest seems to have cooled with their signing of Fred from Shakhtar Donetsk.