Agent: Verratti-PSG still a ways apart in contract talks

Les Parisiens are determined to hold on to the 20-year-old, with Napoli waiting in the wings, but a deal to extend his stay at the Parc des Princes is far from being completed.

Marco Veratti is understood to be in contract talks with Paris-Saint Germain as speculation mounts over a return to Serie A after PSG received a "monstrous" offer from Napoli for his services.

The Italy midfielder is earning 800,000 euros a year and is meeting with club directors regarding an increase in wages for the upcoming season, while his agent Donato Di Campli insists some tempting offers are coming in from abroad.

“We are still some way off an agreement. The negotiations need to continue even if I’m not that optimistic or hopeful at the moment," Di Campli told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "The fact remains that Marco still has four years to go on his contract here.

“However, he is not short of alternatives. Just this morning a monstrous offer arrived on behalf of Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

“We will meet with PSG again next week. I need to speak with Marco and his family, then we will see.”

The bid from Napoli has not been confirmed and could be a negotiating tactic by the agent to put pressure on PSG to up its contract offer to Verratti.

The Partenopei, under new coach Rafa Benitez, have already bolstered their squad with new additions, including Real Madrid duo Raul Albiol and Jose Callejon, while they are waiting to confirm Madrid attacker Gonzalo Higuain following the departure of Edinson Cavani to PSG.