Miralem Pjanic to Chelsea: Blues 'open talks' after £31m buyout clause is revealed
Roma midfielder Pjanic is wanted by Antonio Conte, the man expected to replace Guus Hiddink at Chelsea in the summer
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea have opened talks with the representatives of Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic over the possibility of launching a move that would trigger a £31m release clause in his contract, according to reports.
The Times is reporting that Chelsea director and lead negotiator, Marina Granovskaia, has already made contact with Pjanic’s advisers ahead of a possible summer move for the 25-year-old Bosnia-Herzegovina midfielder.
It’s added that the Blues have begun the initial stages of trying to lure Pjanic to Stamford Bridge after his name was handed to officials at the club by incoming manager Antonio Conte, with the current Italy head coach expected to be named as Guus Hiddink’s successor later this month.
Roma currently sit third in the Serie A table, eight points off leaders and defending champions Juventus, and Pjanic appears to be facing up to yet another season of missing out on the Italian league title since joining the club from French side Lyon in 2011.
Pjanic’s wages would not pose a problem for Chelsea given he is expected to demand around £60,000-a-week, and even though the club look set to miss out on qualification for next season’s Champions League – providing they don’t win the competition this time around – they will have no problems with meeting the £31m buyout clause.
Conte is believed to have also told the club that he would like them to press on with interest in Pjanic’s Roma team-mate Radja Nainggolan, with the midfielder also expected to be subject of an official bid from the Blues in the summer.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments