Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest on Marco Verratti, Paul Pogba and Isco Rumours

Real Madrid are "working on signing" Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti, according to David Amoyal, a writer on behalf of Sky Italia's Gianluca Di Marzio.  

It is suggested Ernesto Bronzetti, an aide to Madrid President Florentino Perez, recently met with the player's representative to discuss a deal. Amoyal provides the details:

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Yesterday we reported intermediary Bronzetti met with the player's agent in Milano to see if there are the margins for a deal, but that wasn't the only attempt Real Madrid made. Two days ago the merengeues' president Florentino Perez met with Verratti's agent in Madrid, Real is willing to offer the player €7 million after taxes a season and PSG €50 million for the transfer fee. Verratti is pondering his future, in the meantime he'll attend his former team Pescara match against Bologna in the Serie B playoffs.

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"In light of the rumours spread by various media outlets concerning an alleged offer on the part of Real Madrid for the player Marco Verratti, the club states that Real Madrid have not made any contact with PSG or the player's agent, and therefore these rumours are completely untrue," the club said in a statement.

The Italian pitbull is key for the French champions, providing momentous fight in the middle of the park. He averaged three tackles, 1.5 interceptions and a pass accuracy of 91.5 percent in Ligue 1 matches last season, per WhoScored.com. The 22-year-old has developed a reputation for being hot-headed and gutsy, two attributes which drive his game.

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B/R UK's Jonathan Johnson doesn't expect him to leave the Parc des Princes, as noted in a response on Twitter:

Madrid continue to be linked with a move for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, a player Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann believes would be ideal for the Bernabeu setup.

"He's a top player and I think he needs a different level to learn," said Griezmann of his French international team-mate, per Marca (h/t Ben Jefferson of the Daily Express). "There's talk of him joining Real Madrid which would be perfect for him. I'm sure he'd learn even more."

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However, AS reports "Madrid are not set to enter into an auction" for the player, which is currently being led by Premier League runners-up Manchester City. Madrid recently provided an official denial of a La Stampa story linking Pogba to the Bernabeu.

AS' story suggests City are willing to pay more than every other suitor to secure Pogba's future, including a €100 million fee and €9 million-per-year wage. This would be an extremely ambitious move considering the club's punishment for failing to adhere to UEFA's financial fair play rules last summer.

Former Madrid boss Manuel Pellegrini is also linked with a £33 million attempt to sign Isco from Los Blancos, a player he failed to capture from Malaga in 2013, as reported by Stuart Brennan of the Manchester Evening News.

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Isco became a key player under Carlo Ancelotti, but he may be pushed out of the side now that Rafa Benitez has been installed as boss. The tactical manager is likely to seek greater balance in his team, possibly by sacrificing either Isco or James Rodriguez in central midfield.

Ancelotti crammed the pair—both attack-minded playmakers by trade—into a central three alongside Toni Kroos last season, which often left Los Blancos overrun. As such, Isco may once again find it a struggle to make a lasting impact in the Spanish capital.

It's only natural Benitez will want to quickly usher his influence over the squad, so notable changes could soon be made.

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Verratti would be an inspired signing for Madrid—the kind of player who can break up and spread play brilliantly. Stars such as him—those who do the dirty work—perhaps could have kept Ancelotti in the job longer. However, PSG will likely demand a huge offer to interrupt their galvanising process so significantly.