The PSG midfielder's former coach, Giuseppe Galderisi, believes the 23-year-old's talent is such that he could play for one of the Liga giants in the future
Marco Verratti could leave PSG for Real Madrid or Barcelona in the coming years, according to the midfielder's former coach Giuseppe Galderisi.
Galderisi managed Verratti during his short spell at Pescara, giving the Italy international his first-team debut in the 2008-09 season before the midfielder earned a move to Parc des Princes in 2012.
The 23-year-old has grown into a key member of Laurent Blanc's dominated PSG side and penned a contract extension to 2020 with the Ligue 1 champions on Monday.
Nevertheless, Galderisi feels Verratti could eventually move to Spain, such is his precocious talent.
"Paris has built a huge project at a level equal to that of Europe's biggest clubs," Galderisi told Goal before confirmation of Verratti's extension.
"But I would not be surprised to see him end up playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona, especially Barca because they have the style of play for him to succeed there.
"I would not be surprised but I am sure he extend at Paris. I do not think the president will let such a talent leave."
Verratti moved to PSG for a fee of €12 million less than four years ago and now Galderisi believes the midfielder's ever-growing importance has seen him become "priceless".
When asked of Verratti's potential value, he said: "Because of his age, his technique and his mind, he has no price. To become a player of international level, as I have learned throughout my career, it is not enough just to have technical skills.
"You also need a perfect state of mind, a good attitude and to make sacrifices and efforts every day."
ON VERRATTI'S PESCARA DEBUT
"Everyone told me that Marco was too young and not ready. But I did play him in the Italian Cup against Albinoleffe. He had a big personality and talent.
"It's true he was young but when I started at Juventus I was just as young and Trapattoni did not hesitate to let me play. I started at 15 and 16 in Serie A. I agree with Trapattoni: if a player is good, he plays, whatever their age."
ON HIS BACKGROUND
"Verratti comes from a very humble family and is very attached to them. This is a very sensitive and kind boy with exceptional footballing qualities. I enjoyed one of my best relationships in my career with him.
"But when I was training in Pescara, we needed to control his playing time because he had growth problems. We worked on this with him and helped him heal. After each workout, he had to be assessed because he was in pain."
ON HIS BEST POSITION...
"I think he is able to play in any position in midfield. When he started with me, we were playing 4-2-3-1 and after that we switched to 4-3-3. In the 4-2-3-1 he played as a No.10, just behind the striker, because he did not need to do a big job and we could utilise his passing ability. He was unstoppable at that time.
"When we switched to 4-3-3, I used him in the heart of midfield because I wanted to provide an offensive side to the team. He has this unique quality. He played like that until he left Pescara. I remember a match with us where we were losing 1-0. He went on, we won a penalty and scored the second goal. We won 2-1 in 20 minutes thanks to him."
ON HIS POTENTIAL...
"I am rather surprised that Italy let such a talent leave [the league]. That was a huge mistake. All the big Italian clubs - Juventus, AC Milan, Inter, Napoli - had a chance to sign him.
"He made a good choice because he has grown very quickly and very well in Paris. He found a great team and he could make further progress very rapidly."
- Goal