Reports from Italian broadcaster Mediaset claim that Juventus have agreed to pay the release clause for Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic.
Fasten your seatbelts ladies and gentlemen – It’s the last day of the season, there’s a trophy to be presented, but the mercato is upon us, and it will take no prisoners.
Today’s daily dose of BS begins with this nugget of nonsense from Italy’s favourite purveyor of fantastical headlines, Mediaset.
The make the bold claim that Juve have already agreed to pay the €38m release clause for Pjanic, and it is now up to the midfielder to decide what he wants to do.
This follows on from last weeks Tuttosport ‘report’ which made similar claims about Juve’s plans to make a bid for the 26-year-old Bosnia international.
Mediaset claim that the Bianconeri are prepared to pay the hefty asking price in an effort to get the Pjanic, lest they be sucked into a bidding war with Barcelona, Real Madrid, PSG and a host of other usual suspects.
Pjanic will still have to come to an agreement with the Bianconeri, a sensitive matter, given the fierce animosity between Juve and Roma.
This all sounds well and good, but it flies in the face of a report that Calciomercato published earlier this week.
The article does a job of analysing Juve’s summer transfer objectives and also makes a point of referring to the off-the-pitch relationship between the two clubs. While the fee for Pjanic is considered entirely realistic for Juve, the board would be reluctant to make an approach for the player in attempt to avoid any conflict with Roma. If he were to arrive, it would only be with Roma’s blessing.
Exciting times, but I’d voice a word of caution – Believe half of what you see and none of what you hear. We will continue to try and cover the endless summer ahead to the best of our abilities, with a degree of impartiality and a heady dose of scepticism, lest we lead you fine readers astray 😉
** Update **
As quickly as the story was published came a firm denial from Roma that there had been payment of any such clause. We can carry on about our business….
No, non è stata pagata nessuna clausola da nessuno per @Miralem_Pjanic. Ora vorremmo pensare a #MilanRoma…
— Lorenzo Serafini (@LoreSerafins) May 14, 2016
He would be a sick signing though!
sick signing indeed!
https://www.asroma.com/en/news/2016/5/roma-deny-miralem-pjanic-juve-rumours
Roma deny th story and call it groundless – Juventini still dream though 🙂
I’d love to see the kid work with Allegri and in our midfield – There’s always one obsession every summer – a player that we dream about having in the team – This year it’s Pjanic
Pjanic was unreal today, if he wants to come to us, then we need to get him.
UPDATE – 15th May
More Pjanic news – GdS says that Juve are prepared to pay for Pjanic – Also state Allegri has personally contacted the player to give assurances on his key part in the team next season 🙂
Make of that what you will – still very early, but if Marchisio’s injury is going to take a long time to heal, this could be Marotta pre-empting things and getting us a first-rate replacement, well in advance of the summer friendlies and pre-season training.
I’m sceptical becuase of the cost, Roma’s likely reluctance to reinforce a direct rival and a number of other reasons.
My hope is that we really in for the player – No protracted summer saga for Gomes, we keep many irons in the fire, so to speak, and keep our options open.
If Pjanic is bought, it would be amazing, but would he be the one who solves the TQ problem? I don’t think he is a natural in that position, and I suspect him to be part of a midfield 3 with Khedira and Pogba, and all can rotate around when Marchisio is back and fully fit.