Manchester United are interested in signing Marco Verratti from Paris Saint-Germain but Transfermarketweb (h/t Express) now claim that the Italian midfielder is not willing to join Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford.

United wanted to sign Verratti as they needed more quality options in the midfield despite having signed Fred and extended Marouane Fellaini‘s contract.

However, the report now claims that the 25-year-old Italian will remain with the Ligue 1 club. Verratti will also be given a new contract and talks are already underway to keep the Italian at Paris for the foreseeable future.

This would come as a bit of a blow to Mourinho as Verratti would have been an excellent signing for us and could have transformed our midfield by partnering Fred and Paul Pogba.

The Italian has been one of the best players for PSG ever since he joined them in 2012. There is no doubt he would not have come on the cheap but we have to pay the big bucks for world-class players.

This could be a blessing in disguise too as Mourinho would now have to look at other transfer targets and they might not turn out to be as expensive as Verratti.

Read more: Jose Mourinho plots move to bring World Cup finalist to Manchester United – report

We have some work to do if we are to catch Manchester City and a few quality additions to the side would certainly bridge the gap between the two sides.