Barcelona are reportedly demanding a transfer fee of €35 million for out-of-favour midfielder Miralem Pjanic, who is a target for Premier League club Everton.
According to Spanish publication Fichajes, Barcelona have set an asking price of €35 million for midfield outcast Miralem Pjanic, who has popped up on the radars of Premier League side Everton.
Pjanic signed for Barcelona only last summer, as part of a deal that saw Arthur Melo move to Juventus. However, safe to say the deal hasn’t worked out for any of the parties involved. While Arthur has struggled for form and fitness in Italy, Pjanic has found it hard to break into the starting XI at Camp Nou under Ronald Koeman.
Indeed, the Bosnian international finds himself behind the likes of Sergio Busquets, Frenkie de Jong and youngsters Pedri and Ilaix Moriba in the pecking order of things. This led to him featuring just 30 times across all competitions for the Blaugrana, with only six of those appearances being starts in La Liga.
Given his situation at Barcelona, Pjanic has been heavily linked with a summer exit, with the likes of Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain showing an interest. In addition, a return to former club Juventus has also been mooted, especially with Massimiliano Allegri taking over the reins at the Allianz Stadium following Andrea Pirlo’s departure.
Now, it is being claimed that Premier League side Everton are also interested in signing Pjanic this summer. The Toffees have had several dealings with Barcelona in the past, having signed the likes of Lucas Digne, Yerry Mina, Sandro Ramirez and Andre Gomes. And, they have now set their sights on Pjanic as a suitable summer addition, even though they are currently without a manager.
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The report goes on to add that Everton are planning to make an offer between €20-€30 million for the 31-year-old. Barcelona, for their part, are open to a sale but want at least €35 million for the midfield misfit. But given the financial predicament that the Cules find themselves in, a compromise could be arrived at.
A crucial summer awaits Barcelona with a major squad overhaul on the cards following a blow-hot-blow-cold 2020/21 season. In Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia and Emerson, the Catalans have already made significant signings, with more expected to come through the doors. There will naturally be outgoings as well, with Pjanic expected to be one among those headed for the exit doors. Whether he ends up signing for Everton, remains to be seen.
There’s no way Everton are paying 20 -30m for a 31 year old