Roma CEO Tiago Pinto has contacted Barcelona to discuss a potential transfer for Miralem Pjanic as the Tottenham Hotspur target’s return to Juventus stalls, per TuttoMercatoWEB.
Juventus insist they still want to secure Pjanic’s Serie A return just a year after selling the midfielder to Barcelona. The Bianconeri also urge that the Bosnian is not an alternative for Manuel Locatelli, and want his arrival secured alongside that of the Italian’s from Sassuolo.
But the Turin outfit cannot yet afford to acquire Pjanic and must offload at least one player in that department. Massimiliano Allegri already has a raft of midfielders available at the Old Lady, despite insiting on a deal for Pjanic.
Pjanic is waiting patiently for Juventus to make the necessary sales so he can return from his Barcelona nightmare. After joining for an initial £55m last summer, the 31-year-old only started six of his 19 La Liga appearances. Ronald Koeman also left him out of his matchday day squad against Real Sociedad on the opening day last Sunday.
Yet while Juventus chase sales, Pinto has contacted Barcelona to assess Roma’s chances of signing rumoured Tottenham target Pjanic. The Giallorossi chief has taken concrete steps towards a deal, although Pjanic’s preference would be a return to Turin.
Reports by Calciomercato claim Pjanic is only interested in re-joining Juventus if he leaves Barcelona. Sport even note the 100-cap Bosnian would accept a 20% pay cut to wear Juve colours again. Despite Tottenham even offering to match his £120,000-per-week Camp Nou contract, per TuttoMercatoWEB, in a deal Sport believe Nuno Espirito Santo has backed.
Roma pose strong threat to Tottenham in bid to sign Barcelona outcast Pjanic
Roma can pose a strong threat to Tottenham in their bid to beat Juventus to signing Pjanic from Barcelona. The Bianconeri may be the Bosnian’s preferred destination, but Allegri has a reducing window to raise the funds they need.
Pinto, meanwhile, is desperate to add another midfielder to Jose Mourinho’s squad after failing to obtain Granit Xhaka from Arsenal. The Giallorossi chased the Swiss earlier in the window, and even agreed on personal terms, but failed to pay the Gunners’ valuation, per football.london. Now, he’s likely to sign a new contract to remain at the Emirates until 2025.
Arsenal’s refusal to lower their valuation could see Tottenham miss out on signing Pjanic from Barcelona if Roma step in. The cash-strapped La Liga outfit need to offload his wage and cannot wait forever for Juventus to make a move.
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