Real Madrid 'interested in Marco Verratti'

Real Madrid have reportedly turned their attention to Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti after admitting defeat in the fight to sign Paul Pogba from Juventus.

The La Liga giants had been working on a deal for the Frenchman earlier this summer but were outmuscled by the financial might of Manchester United, who are expected to complete a world-record transfer deal worth more than £100m.

According to AS, Madrid are now "looking keenly" at Verratti, who has been with PSG since 2012 and is valued at around £34m.

The club are also thought to be preparing a bid in the region of £35m for Newcastle United midfielder Moussa Sissoko following his impressive form for France at Euro 2016.

Madrid are aiming to bring in a number of new faces this summer ahead of their upcoming ban on all transfer activity in 2017.