Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis has revealed Marco Verratti would be their player if not for Walter Mazzarri.

When still with Pescara, Verratti had the chance to sign for Napoli in 2012.

De Laurentiis recalled to Telefoot: "The coach (Walter Mazzarri) always told me he did not need a playmaker.

"I who came from cinema, I told him 'but how do you not need a playmaker? The playmaker in life is fundamental'. He said to me 'President, if you buy him, I will not play him'.

"I did not fight and Verratti then left for PSG. He was right."