Miralem Pjanic has set a major transfer rumour spinning by not distancing himself from a summer move to Catalan giants Barcelona.
The Bosnian, 24, has been linked with moves to many of Europe’s finest, most recently Paris Saint Germain and Barca.
“PSG are certainly a good team and are doing extraordinary things. I won’t forget that my first game as a professional and my debut with Metz was against them. No one knows what the future may hold, but today, PSG are certainly very interesting. It’s a club that is going to win the Champions League and will be one of the ten best teams in Europe. It is important for a player to win titles.”
Pjanic was then asked about Barcelona’s interest, which provoked an interesting response.
“Their style of play is similar to Roma’s with Rudi Garcia, I would adapt very well. I think there I could prove the best of my qualities. It’s not a bad destination because of the city and the weather.”
Is this just a common tactic to try and get an improved contract with Roma, or is he ready to move to Spain or elsewhere?
Meanwhile, Juve’s Paul Pogba is set to open contract talks with the club. The 20 year-old’s contract runs out in the summer of 2016 but a deal is hoping to be reached in extending the midfielder’s stay at the Juventus Stadium until 2018 with agent Mino Raiola due in Turin sometime next week amidst reported interest from Manchester City and Paris Saint Germain.
The mood is not a happy one at Stamford Bridge after Wednesday’s emphatic defeat to Atletico Madrid. David Luiz is set to be trophyless for the first time in a season since his arrival at the club and said he would have to brand it as “rubbish” if he was not to win anything, while manager Jose Mourinho has hit back at star winger Eden Hazard after the Belgian criticised his tactics.
“I’m not happy that a player does not sacrifice himself. I’ve spoken to him all season and tried to improve him. Eden is the kind of player who is not as mentally ready to look back at his left-back and live his life for him. If you see Atletico’s first goal on Wednesday, you understand where the mistake was and why we conceded that goal.
“I don’t want him to change – but the perfect team at the top level cannot make this kind of mistake.”
Hazard and Mourinho have not been so happy with each other recently.
Holger Badstuber made his long awaited return to training after an arduous 18 months out of action after a cruciate ligament tear against Borussia Dortmund back in December of 2012. The 25 year old will be looking to break Bayern’s centre back partnership of Jerome Boateng and Dante- a danger that could happen for the latter, the Brazilian turning 31 next October and showing some of his flaws this season. Certainly food for thought for Pep Guardiola this summer.