The transfer of Miralem Pjanic to Barcelona from Juventus has not gone how any of the parties involved visualized. The Bosnian has not played much since the start of the year and has practically vanished in the eyes of manager Ronald Koeman.
Miralem Pjanic could be a one-and-done and simply decide to find greener pastures come to the end of the season. If that is the case, he wouldn’t exactly be short of suitors.
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In Mundo Deportivo’s rumor mill, the Catalan outlet reports that one club that might try to make a play for the midfielder is Manchester City.
Manchester City turns to Miralem Pjanic of Barcelona in search of midfield depth.
Pep Guardiola is on the lookout for reinforcement in midfield given Fernandinho is set to leave once his contract is up in the summer.
However, Pjanic is but one name on their list of rumored targets. Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United and AC Milan’s Bennacer are two other names City are interested in.
Pjanic came to Barcelona in sort of a swap but not a swap deal with Juventus that saw Arthur Melo go the other way.
The belief behind the move was given Pjanic’s experience and the way he plays, he would fit like a glove with the Catalan giants.
However, whether through nagging injuries or Koeman’s decision, he’s largely been used sparingly in the league. Most of his minutes have come in the Copa del Rey.
When he has featured, he hasn’t exactly impressed. Rarely has he been given the opportunity to play a full game and now he’s seen playing time that could have gone to him go to Ilaix Moriba or Sergi Roberto.
He did not help his cause with a couple of interviews in which he complained about not playing more and wondering what more he has to do to be taken into consideration.
Leaving could be his best option despite only being at the club for one season. For Barcelona, it could also be a way of getting the veteran’s wages off the books. It would also allow more or less to solidify Moriba’s place with the first team.
Nothing is concrete at the moment but he is one of three players Manchester City have in mind. The start of any talks or negotiations will likely come when both teams are through with their respective competitions.