Barcelona’s decision to sell Arthur to Juventus in exchange for Miralem Pjanic and £ 5 million was ridiculously ridiculous last summer, but things have reached a whole new level today.
After an overwhelming debut season, Barcelona are now so desperate to get rid of Pjanic that they are prepared to let him leave the club for free. It can be difficult to find a suitor, but there are a handful of sites that have been tipped to launch bids, either permanent or borrowed, for the Bosnians.
Let’s take a look at which destination is best.
Pjanic does not fit United’s plans / PressFocus / MB Media / Getty Images
We all know that Manchester United want a new central midfielder this summer, but there is absolutely no way that Pjanic will be their man.
United have learned from past mistakes and no longer strive for aging, underperforming players, and that’s before you think about how little they would like to pay their huge contract.
It does not happen. Next.
Chelsea want someone younger / Alex Livesey – Danehouse / Getty Images
Like United, Chelsea are chasing a new midfielder, but they want someone more defensive than Pjanic – Jorginho is a better version of Pjanic, so there is no point in landing the Bosnians.
Chelsea are chasing more long-term goals, such as Declan Rice or Aurelien Tchouameni, and they have made their preferences clear.
Also, we all know how much Chelsea love to write high-winning players on the wrong side of 30.
AC Milan already have a solid midfield / Marco Luzzani / Getty Images
Pjanic is anxious to return to Italy, where AC Milan have been tipped to offer him a new home.
I Rossoneri could do a little more depth in that position, but it is unlikely that they turn to Pjanic because he probably would not be a regular start.
Midfield duo Franck Kessie and Ismael Bennacer were very impressive last year and will not lose their places, so a high-income backup will be out of the equation.
Pjanic can be a big name for Rafa Benitez / Stu Forster / Getty Images
Pjanic feels like the most Everton signing ever. Toffees love these big names and usually do not think much about when they sign them.
They would give Pjanic a new home and probably pay him a handsome salary, but whether they can actually convince the Bosnians to move to Goodison Park is another matter entirely.
The Carlo Ancelotti appeal is gone, which means Everton do not have much to complain about the fact that they finished tenth last season. No European football can be too much.
Pjanic hopes to return to Juventus / Marco Canoniero / Getty Images
Pjanic’s preferred choice would be to return to Juventus, with which he spent three impressive years (and an overwhelming one) before heading to Barcelona.
Juventus are obvious fans of Pjanic and love the chance to make a price signing, and they can actually do with another central midfielder to make up the numbers.
Unfortunately, Juve prefer that the new signing is Sassuolo’s Manuel Locatelli, so Pjanic will only be their plan B.
Nuno could land Pjanic / Catherine Ivill / Getty Images
Links to Tottenham write themselves due to the presence of former Juve director Fabio Paratici, who will print Pjanic’s signature.
Spurs could do with a little more creativity in midfield, where Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Harry Winks were guilty of some inferior performances on that side of the ball. Pjanic would definitely fix it.
His salaries may be high, but as the signing of Gareth Bale showed us, Spurs are willing to shell out when they need to if the deal is right. Do not exclude this.
Inter enters a new era / KONTROLAB / Getty Images
If you want to move to Italy, joining the reigning Serie A champions is not a bad call.
Inter already have a boat with central midfielders, but apart from Nicolo Barella and Marcelo Brozovic, you can argue that Pjanic would be an upgrade on some of them.
Roberto Gagliardini, Stefano Sensi and maybe Matias Vecino could all be replaced, so Pjanic would get a good shot in regular minutes if he joined.
For more from Tom Gott, follow him on Twitter!
