Transfer Rumour: Real Madrid schedule talks for Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic

Real Madrid are keen on signing Miralem Pjanic from Juventus and have scheduled talks with the Bosnian midfielder’s agent, as per reports.

Alfredo Duro, an associate journalist at El Chiringuito de Atresmedia, has revealed that Real Madrid are interested in signing Miralem Pjanic from Juventus in the summer and have scheduled talks with his agent in the next few weeks to discuss a possible transfer.

Miralem Pjanic moved to Juventus from AS Roma on a controversial transfer this past summer, with the transfer being highly unpopular one among the fans of the capital club. But regardless of the controversy, he arrived in Turin as one of the best midfielders in Serie A.

Signed as replacement for Paul Pogba, who joined Manchester United at the start of the season, a lot was expected from Pjanic. But seven months on, and the Bosnian has failed to match the highs of his spell with Roma, looking a pale shadow of the player who could control games from deep in midfield.

He has started 16 games in the Serie A this season, bagging five goals and as many assists but it’s his inconsistencies that have frustrated his manager Massimiliano Allegri and Juventus fan.

Despite his struggles with Juventus, though, Real Madrid believe that Zinedine Zidane can help Pjanic regain his best form should he move to the Santiago Bernabeu. Duro said, “Madrid is closely following Pjanic.” He further added that Los Blancos would be willing to offer one of Isco and James Rodriguez to Juventus to sweeten the deal.

“The interest is such that in the coming weeks there is scheduled a meeting with his agent, with whom they have already spoken. Real Madrid would be willing to barter with Isco or James for Pjanic to come. James is on the market.”

Both Isco and James Rodriguez are facing uncertain futures at the Santiago Bernabeu and have been linked with a summer exit from Real Madrid. With Zidane eager to add Pjanic to his squad, a barter involving either misfits could do the trick.

Zidane has an increasingly ageing Real Madrid squad at his disposal with several players in their thirties in his first team setup. Decreasing the average age of the squad is on his agenda for the summer, and the Real Madrid boss is eyeing young reinforcements in various positions.

Pjanic would be a like for like replacement for Luka Modric who is already 32 and is slowly approaching the twilight of his career. It now remains to be seen if Real Madrid can get closer to signing Pjanic any time soon with meetings scheduled with his agent for the next few weeks.