Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Marco Verratti, Federico Bernardeschi

Italy national team manager Giampiero Ventura has suggested reported Chelsea, Manchester United, Inter Milan and Juventus target Marco Verratti must leave Paris Saint-Germain in order to continue his development and grow as a player.

The former Pescara man has blossomed into one of the world's most well-rounded midfielders with Les Parisiens, but according to Ventura, a lack of competition in the Ligue 1 could hold him back. Speaking to Sky Italia (h/t Metro's Max Miller), he said it would be better if Verratti played in Italy instead:

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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; Verratti is absolutely a good thing for Italy.

The problem is that he doesn’t play in Italy, but in France. The rhythms are different; the strength of his team is so high that he never gets put in difficulty.

He must get used to putting 100 per cent into matches.

"

The report points to frequent transfer links with Chelsea and United, two clubs expected to push hard for Verratti should he decide to leave Paris. Per Corriere dello Sport (h/t Calciomercato's Jean-Luca Mascaro), Inter, Juventus and Real Madrid would also be interested. 

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Verratti moved to the French capital in 2012, shocking plenty of Italian pundits who assumed he would instead move to one of Serie A's top clubs. The transfer proved to be the right one for the pint-sized midfielder, however, as he has grown into quite the player in Paris.

Known for his incredible passing range, creativity and tenacious defending, the 24-year-old is already arguably the top midfielder the Azzurri have in their ranks, and his absence during UEFA Euro 2016 was keenly felt.

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

Transfer rumours have surrounded Verratti throughout the 2016-17 campaign, starting when his agent, Donato Di Campli, told reporters his client won't stay at PSG all his life and will soon need “different motivations,” per Angelo Taglieri and Mascaro of Calciomercato.

Verratti has since committed himself to his current club for the foreseeable future, but it's becoming ever more likely the Italian star will move to a different club, with bigger European aspirations, at some point down the line.

A reunion with former national team manager Antonio Conte would likely be appealing to Verratti, although Juventus remain the clear favourites in the race. As reported by Goal's Joe Wright, Verratti and his agent haven't made a secret of the fact the player is a lifelong fan of the Bianconeri, who happen to need a central midfielder following the Paul Pogba sale.

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Elsewhere, Calciomercato (h/t the Sun's Anthony Chapman) reports Conte has his eyes set on the Fiorentina duo of Milan Badelj and Federico Bernardeschi, hoping to bring one or both into the fold in January.

Bernardeschi in particular is one to keep an eye on, as the winger is widely regarded as one of Italy's top young prospects. He has played both in a central role and out wide for Fiorentina so far, scoring at ease and acting as one of the club's main creative outlets.

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

What makes Bernardeschi such an intriguing target is that he already has several years of playing experience in a wide variety of formations, including the 3-4-3 Conte has used to such devastating effects in the Premier League.

The 22-year-old has even played as the right wing-back in said formation, though he's at his best in a more advanced role, where he can contribute to the attack. As shared by Squawka Football, he knows how to put the ball in the net:

Conte usually isn't a big fan of the January window, but if he were to bring in one or two pieces, it would be wise to invest in players who are already familiar with his preferred system. Add to that Bernardeschi's tremendous long-term potential, and the Italian makes for a fine target.