Report: Chelsea handed boost in chase for 31-year-old La Liga midfield star

Transfer News: Chelsea get boost in chase for Miralem Pjanic

According to transfer news from Metro, Chelsea have received a boost in the chase for Miralem Pjanic. Barcelona are willing to let the midfielder leave for free to get him off the wage bill. They are prepared to do the same with Samuel Umtiti.

After stints at Lyon and Roma, Juventus came calling for Pjanic in 2016 and he moved to Turin. He spent a successful four seasons at Juventus, which were filled with trophies. However, last summer, he moved to Barcelona in a swap deal that saw Arthur Melo head the other way. While he did win the Copa del Rey, it has been a largely underwhelming season for the midfielder.

Barcelona are now in a financial crisis. Their wage bill is severely overblown meaning that they will need to cut it down if they are to comply with La Liga’s rules. They are also unable to finalize Lionel Messi’s new deal. That is why they are looking to cut off some players from the roster and remove their wages.

Samuel Umtiti and Miralem Pjanic are the two names they are considering axing for free. The latter is a transfer target for Chelsea and they could get a chance to land him for free now. Inter Milan and Juventus are also said to be after the 31-year-old Bosnian.

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Chelsea might want to reconsider going after the Barcelona man given that Pjanic is coming off a tough season and is also 31 years of age. Pjanic may still have those qualities that make him a quality midfielder but Chelsea would be better served by looking at younger and long-term options. However, a potential free transfer does make the deal worth a look.