Liverpool linked with ambitious attempt to poach Roma’s Pjanic
Liverpool (10/3 with Coral for a Premier League top four finish) supposedly have a long standing interest in Serie A giant Roma’s midfield maestro Miralem Pjanic, with a mooted £25m deal said to be in the works for summer.
Reds boss Brendan Rodgers’ reported recent trip to the Italian capital, which saw the Northern Irishman snapped among tourists in the Vatican City, has only increased speculation that the playmaker is set for a switch.
The Anfield outfit are in the hunt for a top talent to fill Steven Gerrard’s shoes, with the long-serving skipper set to depart at the end of this season.
Whilst Gerrard has mostly been deployed in a deeper role this term, Liverpool are said to be looking for another player to provide guile and match-winning moments.
A tricky talent with quick thinking and fast feet, Pjanic’s artistry and intelligence in attack would fit nicely with Rodgers’ philosophy, and poaching the 24-year-old from the Giallorossi would represent a serious coup.
Previously believed to be a target for Barcelona, the midfield conductor’s career has already seen him impress in Ligue 1 for Lyon and Metz. After a 2011 transfer to Roma, however, Pjanic truly blossomed, grabbing 16 goals and 28 assists in 127 games for the Giallorossi (12/1 to lift the Europa League).
Often dubbed ‘Roma’s Prince’ by fans, Pjanic’s flair and technique sets him apart from his peers and, whilst the Bosnia and Herzegovina international is hardly a prolific scorer, his ability to orchestrate and assist makes him invaluable.
Capped 52 times for his country, versatile Pjanic could easily slot into a fluid formation for Liverpool, and the prospect of the creative talent combining with Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho should be tantalising for Reds fans.
The Merseyside men have struggled this season, mainly due to the departure of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge’s long injury lay-off.
So, perhaps Rodgers should focus his transfer attentions on a potent striker to complement his array of skilled attacking midfielders, including summer signings Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic.
However, if Liverpool are to challenge for the Premier League title, the addition of Pjanic to complement Rodgers’ exciting existing options would surely send a strong message.
Highly-rated Pjanic, who played for Luxembourg’s international side at under-19 level, is currently contracted at Roma until 2018, so Rodgers will likely have to be persuasive to part him from the Stadio Olympico.