Juventus have reportedly pitched Barcelona with the idea of swapping their outcasts as they hope to bring Miralem Pjanic back to Italy. According to Calciomercato, the Bianconeri have offered Aaron Ramsey in a like-for-like swap deal that would see the Bosnian metronome return to Serie A.
Pjanic wants to leave Camp Nou following an underwhelming maiden La Liga season that saw them become a bit-part player in Ronald Koeman’s set-up. The 31-year-old left Juventus last summer carrying a reputation as one of Europe’s finest playmakers but has struggled to adapt to a new system in Catalonia.
The Bosnia & Herzegovina international spent most of his career in Serie A with Roma and Juventus and is keen to secure a way back to Italy this summer. The Catalans have nothing against letting him leave and will even encourage his departure, with the record-time Italian champions waiting in the wings.
Barcelona will have to reduce the ballooning wage bill to get permission to register new signings, and offloading Pjanic’s €9m-a-year is one of the priorities. Meanwhile, Juventus are eager to get rid of Ramsey’s whopping €7.5m-a-year wages, especially considering the Welshman’s inability to shine in Turin.
The Spanish juggernauts are not entirely convinced about the prospect of signing Ramsey, as it may put more burden on their wage bill. However, Juventus keep Pjanic under consideration, particularly in light of their struggle to reach an agreement with Sassuolo over Manuel Locatelli.
The ex-Milan midfielder features Massimiliano Allegri’s wishlist close to the top, but the Neroverdi continue to stick to their €40m valuation of their prized asset. Locatelli has already informed Sassuolo of his desire to join Juventus, but the clubs remain stuck in stelamate.