MIRALEM PJANIC looks set to reject a switch to Chelsea and try to force a move to Barcelona instead, reports claim.
Blues boss Frank Lampard had identified the Juventus ace as a potential summer transfer target.
However, the £40million Bosnian midfielder is believed to have shunned offers from Stamford Bridge and Paris Saint Germain, according to Marca.
Barcelona and Juventus are currently bartering over transfer costs for the wantaway Serie A star.
And Juve have rejected the Nou Camp club’s offer of Arthur Melo as part of a deal.
The Italian giants understand it could be hard to keep hold of Pjanic and want to get as high a price as possible from a potential sale.
Pjanic, whose contract ends in 2023, has regularly started for Juventus since joining the side from Roma for £28.8million in 2016.
The Bosnian international has netted three times and set up four goals in 32 appearances so far this season.
Pjanic, 32, is determined to seal a dream move to Barcelona having missed the chance to do so at least three times in the past.
However, Juventus’s £40million price tag could potentially derail his hopes with the Covid-19 crisis putting a dent in Barcelona’s budget.
Footballers playing for the La Liga giants are reported to have taken hefty pay cuts to help other staff at the club.
Barcelona also aim to seal a deal for their top summer transfer Lautaro Martinez.
The Inter Milan striker is reported to have a whopping £99million release clause in his contract.
It’s believed funds for Barcelona’s Martinez bid could be raised if the club sells injury-prone Ousmane Dembele.
The France international, who joined in 2017 in a staggering £135million deal, has struggled to make an impression.
