Miralem Pjanic is only interested in leaving Barcelona for a return to Juventus this summer, according to Calciomercato, despite attracting interest from Tottenham Hotspur.
The Bianconeri are working to establish the framework of a deal for the Bosnian to return to the Allianz Stadium. It is no longer impossible that he arrives in Turin before the end of the transfer window, with two options currently on the table.
Barcelona will meet Juventus on Sunday to contest the Joan Gamper Trophy at the Camp Nou. The pre-season tie could also mark Pjanic’s farewell from Catalunya, after instructing his agent to get him back to Italy.
Pjanic only wants to wear the Juventus jersey next season after enduring a difficult first year at Barcelona. The La Liga side paid £55m plus £4.5m in add-ons last June, while sending Arthur to the Old Lady for £66m plus £9m in potential bonuses as part of the deal.
But Barcelona can no longer afford to keep Pjanic at the Camp Nou, and Sport claim Nuno Espirito Santo green-lit a move for Tottenham to sign the Juventus target. Additionally, TuttoMercatoWEB have reported Spurs would match his £120,000-per-week contract.
Massimiliano Allegri is desperate to have Pjanic at Juventus, though, even if the 31-year-old has to accept a pay cut. Bianconeri Sports Coordinator Federico Cherubini has asked him to lower his wage to €5m-a-year (£82k-p/w).
Juventus would also either sign Pjanic on loan or permanently, providing Barcelona do not ask for any compensation. But the Old Lady and Pjanic both want a deal secured before the deadline passes, scuppering Tottenham’s transfer hopes.
Pjanic to Juventus most likely Barcelona exit despite Tottenham interest
Pjanic to Juventus, then, seems the Bosnian’s most likely route out of Barcelona, despite Nuno green lighting Tottenham’s pursuit. All that remains is for the La Liga outfit to decide if they are prepared to release him for free.
But that may not be the worst for Tottenham, as Pjanic endured a difficult debut Barcelona campaign. He failed to score a single goal or provide an assist in 19 La Liga games, and started just six.
The 100-cap international also only played 20 minutes over the final 14 top-flight fixtures, coming over the final two games. Ronald Koeman, instead, preferring to leave the four-time Serie A champion with Juventus on the bench 10 times.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
