Report: Chelsea blow as La Liga midfield target bound for Italy switch

Chelsea transfer target Miralen Pjanic set for Serie A return

According to Calciomercato (via SPORT h/t football.london), Chelsea have been dealt a blow in pursuit of Barcelona midfielder Miralem Pjanic, who is set for a return to Italy.

Pjanic signed for Barcelona from Juventus in the summer last year in a deal worth £54m. However, the deal has not worked out well for the midfielder or for the club, with the 30-year-old featuring just 30 times in 2020/21 – most of those appearances coming from the bench.

With Barcelona in financial turmoil, they are in need of shedding some wages from their bloated salary bill and Pjanic has emerged as one of the players who will be axed by the Catalans. This has led to serious interest from several clubs in England, with Chelsea among those.

Apart from the Blues, London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal have also been linked with a move for the Bosnia and Herzegovina midfielder.

However, Chelsea, as well as their rivals are set to face disappointment in their pursuit of Pjanic. This is because the Bosnian midfielder has his heart set on a return to Italy, with Serie A champions Inter Milan keen on signing him. Indeed, Pjanic’s agent Fali Ramadani is set to travel to Milan to hold talks with the Nerazzurri over a move in the coming days.

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Having allowed Billy Gilmour to leave on loan, Chelsea can do with another midfield option this summer. However, Pjanic might not have been the best option, considering his age and his recent struggles with Barcelona. So, missing out on him shouldn’t be a devastating blow for Thomas Tuchel & co.’s transfer plans this summer.