Real Madrid Dealt Blow in Paris Saint-Germain Ace Marco Verratti Chase

Real Madrid have suffered a setback in their pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti after the Ligue 1 champions said they have no intention of selling one of their most promising players, according to reports in Spain.

The 21-year-old left boyhood club Pescara for the Ligue 1 champions last summer for a modest fee of £12m and has immediately taken to life in Paris, playing an influential role in Laurent Blanc's midfield.

Earlier this week it was reported that Real were ready to launch a £32m offer to bring the player to the Santiago Bernabeu.

La Gazzetta dello Sport claimed that after Monaco's James Rodriguez and Bayern Munich's Toni Kroos, Verratti has become Real's third major target for the transfer market – as Los Blancos' main objective is to strengthen their midfield.

The report claims that Real made initial contact with PSG through the player's agent, Donato di Campli, who reportedly travelled to Madrid to meet up with Los Blancos' chiefs in early July, and they have now made their first offer for the Italy international.

However, according to Catalan newspaper Sport, PSG have ruled out any possibility of Verratti moving to Real, as the club view him as one of the most promising players at the Parc des Princes – Laurent Blanc wants to keep him and the Parisian club will do everything necessary to fulfill the desire of their manager.

It is thought that Verratti is among Carlo Ancelotti's top targets as he signed him for PSG from Pescara during his time as coach at the French club.