Juventus complete signing of Miralem Pjanic from Roma which could open door for Paul Pogba
Bosnian's arrival in Turin may see French Real Madrid and Manchester United target finally make mega-money move
Juventus have completed the signing of Miralem Pjanic from Juventus — which could open up the door for Paul Pogba to leave Turin.
Bosnian midfielder Pjanic has been linked with a move from arch-rivals Roma all summer, and the club finally confirmed the deal on Twitter.
The 26-year-old could be seen as a direct replacement for Manchester United and Real Madrid target, Pogba.
The Frenchman has been at Juventus since leaving Old Trafford in 2012 — and in Italy he has propelled himself into one of the best midfielders in world football.
Real Madrid have stolen a march on United in the pursuit of Pogba as the player’s agent, Mino Raiola, has already begun negotiating with Los Blancos director, Jose Angel Sanchez.
However, the two parties are still at loggerheads over a basic wage package.
The Old Lady kept fans adjourned with updates of the Pjanic move — thought to be for around £26million — throughout the day on Twitter.
Juventus posted a picture and then a video of the 26-year-old arriving for his medical at around ten o’clock this morning.
Before confirming it had been completed three hours later via pictures of the event taking place.
And at around 5:30pm, they posted a picture of the player holding a Juventus shirt along with a short clip of him signing a contract.
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When asked what it’s like to be at the Juventus Stadium as a Juventus player for the first time, Pjanic responded: “It’s always been difficult to play against Juventus, a great side and a massive club.
“There is a different atmosphere here to other stadiums — it is a wonderful stadium.
“You knew you were playing against a top side here as we always expected a tough game.
“I am delighted that I will be wearing the Juventus shirt from now on.
“I hope it will continue to be just as hard for opponents here and that we will enjoy a lot of success together."
Pjanic moves to Juventus after five years at Roma and admits he’s delighted.
He added: “It’s a great feeling and I hope to score goals, play well and win.
“I’m delighted to be here. I hope give you much to celebrate on the pitch
“I just want to make the Juve fans happy —and I hope together we can win."
Pjanic is the latest in a long line of high-profile Roma ‘traitors’ who swapped the Italian for their arch-rivals in Turin.
Back in the summer of 2004, title-winning manager, Fabio Capello, made the controversial switch and brought with him key men, Jonathan Zebina and Emerson.
While Mirko Vucinic swapped the red and yellow of Roma for the black and white of Juventus in 2011.