MIRALEM PJANIC is reportedly set to become a Juventus player again with the midfielder on the verge of a loan move from Barcelona.
It is thought the LaLiga ace – who was booed by Barca fans in a pre-season cup game – has accepted a wage reduction to seal a two-year return.
This is despite the player arriving at the Nou Camp just a year ago as part of the £50.8million swap deal that saw Brazil ace Arthur Melo move to Turin.
Pjanic, who sealed a £45.8million July 2020 move to the Blaugrana, has fallen down the pecking order following Ronald Koeman’s arrival at the club in August last year.
He made just six first-team starts in 19 top-flight appearances for Barca, who play Real Sociedad in their first game of the new LaLiga season.
Spanish newspaper Sport claim the Bosnia & Herzegovina international has agreed to a 20 per cent pay cut to push through a Juve return.
It is suggested the move could be set up as a one-season loan with the addition of a clause that allows the Italian giants to extend the deal into the 2022-23 season.
Pjanic was an unused sub during Barca’s 3-0 defeat of Juve in the annual Joan Gamper Trophy clash between the sides on Sunday.
And the player, who spent four trophy-laden seasons at Juve following a 2016 move from Roma, was among the Barcelona aces jeered by the club’s fans at the Johan Cruyff Stadium.
Barca are thought to need to make savings of around £156million on wages, according to Catalan radio outlet RAC1.
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That has lead to the stunning departure of club icon Lionel Messi, who is closing in on a blockbuster move to Paris Saint-Germain.
It is thought some supporters are angered that squad members have refused to leave despite reports of Barca offering to release them on free transfers to ease their salary bill.
Pjanic’s suitors Juventus are reported to have been using Aaron Ramsey and Danilo as their midfield shield in front of their back four.
It is claimed Max Allegri is looking to strengthen his central midfield options with the club set to face Atalanta in a friendly ahead of their season opener against Udinese.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
