Roma star Miralem Pjanic snubs both Chelsea and Manchester United with £30m switch to Juventus
Bosnia's top midfielder writes to his club demanding a move to the Italian champions - because of an agreement in his deal
MIRALEM PJANIC has snubbed Chelsea and Manchester United by forcing through a £30million switch to Juventus.
The Bosnia midfielder, 26, took the unusual step of writing to his club Roma and demanding a move as agreed in his contract.
Pjanic’s blunt letter added that he had chosen to join the Italian champions.
And Juve director Beppe Marotta confirmed the news that will disappoint a host of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Moratta told Italina newspapers Tuttosport and La Gazzetta dello Sport: “The Pjanic operation was concluded with the push of the player, who strongly wanted the transfer to Juventus by activating the release clause he had already stipulated with Roma.
“The player will undergo a medical with us shortly.”
Pjanic’s haul of 27 goals in 159 games for Roma since 2011 included many spectacular efforts.
And he is just the type of exciting scorer from deep that United and Chelsea, not to mention Arsenal, have lacked.
But Pjanic’s move increases the glimmer of hopes that Juve’s France midfielder Paul Pogba joining the Premier League.
Real Madrid are still favourites to land the classy star, 23, tipped by many to succeed Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as the world’s top player within a couple of years.
But all three of the Premier League’s title-seeking new bosses will surely heighten their interest.
Chelsea’s Antonio Conte, Jose Mourinho at United, and Manchester City’s incoming chief Pep Guardiola are known admirer of Pogba’s all-round skills.
Pjanic is not rated quite as highly.
But he obviously believes he himself should be playing for a European giant – as his message to Roma explained.
He wrote:“With this letter I communicate that I want to exercise the right to be transferred to another club, as we previously agreed.
“I also inform you that I’m willing to work out the 20% that I’m owed from the transfer fee directly with the club that will acquire my sporting rights, in this circumstance I communicate that the club is Juventus.”