Arsenal Transfer News: Marco Verratti Deals Summer Blow, Alvaro Morata Rumours

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has suffered a double setback in his summer recruitment plans, with Marco Verratti and Alvaro Morata each stating they have no intention to complete Premier League moves this year.

Paris Saint-Germain anchor Verratti has long been linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium, but Joe Short of the Daily Express quotes the Italian international as saying his native Serie A would be his only destination:

"I feel good here, and I'd like to stay here for a long time. I'll go when the directors let me know that I'm surplus to requirements. I've always said that I'll play in Serie A one day, but it won't be for a long time."

Fabrizio Giovannozzi/Associated Press

Despite still just being 22 years of age, Verratti has excelled as a key member of PSG since completing a 2012 transfer from Pescara.

Wenger plugged a major void in his squad with the winter capture of centre-back Gabriel Paulista, making it likely reinforcements in central midfield will figure highly in his summer priorities.

This season has seen Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and the ageing Mikel Arteta go through injury concerns, leaving the north Londoners somewhat short of resources in the engine room for patches.

While young, Verratti's passing prowess sits among the most astute in European football, with Squawka recently detailing part of his metronomic pedigree in Laurent Blanc's lineup:

As Short mentions, the Gunners would be expected to pay a fee of at least £40 million if PSG were to be tempted into selling, but Verratti's standing in the first team makes a move difficult to envision at present.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Johnson suggests Juventus are looking to sign Verratti with the intention of pairing him alongside fellow midfield starlet Paul Pogba:

The same can be said of Morata following his comments regarding a summer switch, dismissing any chance of moving just a year after he made the £20 million move from Real Madrid.

Speaking to Spanish radio station Cadena SER (h/t Short), Morata told of his happiness with the Bianconeri, insisting he isn't paying any attention to speculation:

"

I'm working hard [to get into the Spain squad], it's my objective. A call-up to any squad is special. There's nothing better. I have a contract with Juventus, I'm happy here and only thinking about the black and white. I'm not thinking about anything else. I don't care [about any clauses in my contract].

"

Real made sure to insert a £25 million buy-back stipulation in Morata's contract after allowing him an exit from their ranks last summer, but even a return to the Bernabeu doesn't appear to interest the Spaniard.

David Amoyal of GianlucaDiMarzio.com explains that Los Merengues aren't able to activate the clause this summer in any case, which would hand the likes of Arsenal a lifeline in their pursuit:

Morata has scored in each of his last two Serie A appearances against Milan and Cesena, beating countryman Fernando Llorente as a more prominent member of Allegri's squad lately.

Arsenal are happy to have a fit-again Olivier Giroud back, and Wenger has begun to show more faith in academy prospect Chuba Akpom as a first-team player.

Massimo Pinca/Associated Press

Danny Welbeck also sits as an alternative for the manager, with Alexis Sanchez capable of playing more centrally if needed, but it may be that another elite asset is desired up front.

In any case, Morata's protests would suggest he isn't intent on leaving the Old Lady anytime soon, with Wenger forced to examine other targets if he wishes to beef up his strike force.