Italy coach Cesare Prandelli admits PSG's swoop for Marco Verratti is a big loss for Serie A.

The midfielder was wanted by sides such as Juventus and Napoli, but Pescara eventually did a deal with the French giants instead.

"If we are not competitive on an economical level then we need to be on a technical one," Prandelli told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

"We have to invest on the future. It is scandalous that a player like Verratti ended up at a foreign club. I called him up when he was at Pescara. I repeat - it's scandalous.

"Our footballing movement struggles to renew itself. We have to stop trying to be the most crafty and work to be the best."