Marco Verratti Agrees to New Contract with PSG Through 2024

Marco Verratti has extended his career with Paris Saint-Germain for another five years after penning fresh terms with the Ligue 1 giants on Wednesday:

The Italy international playmaker has been a key part of Les Parisiens' domestic dominance under the lucrative ownership of Qatar Sports Investments during the last decade.

Signed by then-manager Carlo Ancelotti from Italian side Pescara in 2012, Verratti has proved one of the few bargains of an era defined by big spending. The diminutive midfielder acted as the creative hub for teams overseen by Ancelotti, Laurent Blanc and Unai Emery.

This season Verratti is conducting play for Thomas Tuchel, a coach whose stylish, possession-based tactics perfectly suit the schemer's best attributes. Verratti is a player defined by technique, speed of thought and vision.

Those qualities have helped the 26-year-old assist two goals in the French top flight already this season. Verratti recently showed off his blend of artistry and tenacity to help PSG beat bitter rivals Marseille 4-0 on home soil:

Keeping Verratti in the fold is a smart move from the PSG hierarchy, given the paucity of options for the engine room in Tuchel's squad. Aside from Verratti, Les Parisiens are loaded more with enforcers than pass-masters, particularly after signing holding players Idrissa Gueye and Ander Herrera during the summer.

They joined Leandro Paredes to ensure Tuchel has a plethora of ball-winners for the base of midfield. While Verratti dictates play from deep, his ability to quickly move the ball forward helps bring the best out of Angel Di Maria, Pablo Sarabia and Julian Draxler, the players chiefly responsible for supplying strikers Neymar, Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe with chances.

Securing Verratti's immediate future will let PSG move on to addressing the situations of other important members of the squad. Cavani is among them, with ESPN Brasil (h/t Goal's Robin Bairner) noting how interest is already being shown in the Uruguayan No. 9:

At 32, it may make sense for Cavani to move on, but Verratti is still a highly influential figure approaching his prime. His presence will not only help PSG maintain their grip on the French league title, but also give Tuchel's men a better chance of finally making the grade in the UEFA Champions League.