Marco Verratti Completes Move to Qatari Side Al-Arabi from PSG
Italian midfielder Marco Verratti has completed a move to Qatari side Al-Arabi from Paris St-Germain for a reported 45m euros (£38.7m). He is the second high-profile European-based player to secure a deal to Qatar in a week, following Aston Villa’s Philippe Coutinho who joined Al-Duhail on a season-long loan last Friday.
Verratti had an impressive career with PSG, winning nine Ligue 1 titles and helping Italy win Euro 2020. Upon his departure from the club, he said: “I was very proud to wear the colours of Paris St-Germain for more than a decade, to rub shoulders with so many great players and to win 30 trophies. Paris, the club and its supporters will always have a very special place in my heart. I will be Parisian forever.”
The 30-year-old’s move to Qatar is part of a larger trend of European players moving to the Middle East. His former PSG team-mate Neymar moved to Al-Hilal for £77.6m in August, and many other players made the switch to the Saudi Pro League during the summer.
At Al-Arabi, Verratti will link up with former PSG man Rafinha, twin brother of Liverpool midfielder Thiago, with the pair having played in Paris with one another between 2020 and 2022. The Italian had been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League, but no club was able to get a deal done by the 7 September transfer deadline.
The move to Qatar marks a new chapter for Verratti, who is sure to make an impact on the Qatari side. With his experience in Europe and his impressive track record, he is sure to be an asset to Al-Arabi and help them reach their goals.
Qatar has become an attractive destination for European players in recent years, with its high salaries and competitive leagues. The country has also invested heavily in football infrastructure, with plans to host the 2022 World Cup. This has made it an attractive destination for players looking for a new challenge and a chance to compete at the highest level.
As Verratti joins Al-Arabi, he will be hoping to help the team achieve success in the Qatari league and beyond. With his experience and talent, he could be the missing piece of the puzzle for Al-Arabi and help them reach their goals.
It remains to be seen how successful Verratti will be in Qatar, but one thing is for sure: he will be an exciting addition to the team and could help them reach new heights.