Chelsea are plotting a move for Juventus star Miralem Pjanic this summer, reports say.
The Blues are set for a busy summer with the impending exit of Antonio Conte and the appointment of a new head coach.
Maurizio Sarri is expected to take over from Conte and is familiar with Serie A having spent his entire managerial career in Italy.
More: Football
Pjanic is considered one of the best midfielders in Serie A, but Juventus are willing to sell the 28-year-old to raise funds for other transfers.
Italian publication Corriere dello Sport claim Barcelona had been leading the race to sign Pjanic, but will now face competition from Chelsea.
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Juventus value Pjanic at £70million and Barcelona want the Bosnia and Herzegovina international to replace Andres Iniesta.
The club legend left Barcelona at the end of last season and the La Liga champions then missed out on their top target Antoine Griezmann.
But, Chelsea want Pjanic to rival Cesc Fabregas and eventually take over from the talented 31-year-old.
Fabregas is an integral part of Chelseas squad, but was rotated in and out of Contes side during last season.
Of the 36 appearances Fabregas made in the Premier League last season, 25 of those were starts and Chelsea are hopeful Pjanic will be able to challenge the Spaniard.
Chelsea will push ahead with their transfer plans and often do their business separate from their manager, but Sarri will have a chance to pick out the targets he would prefer.
The Blues have been linked with several Serie A stars in the past month including Mauro Icardi and Dries Mertens.
MORE: Maurizio Sarri tells friends he wants to sign Dries Mertens at Chelsea
MORE: Maurizio Sarri accepts Chelseas request to install Gianfranco Zola as assistant
More: Chelsea FC
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Chelsea are plotting a move for Juventus star Miralem Pjanic this summer, reports say.
The Blues are set for a busy summer with the impending exit of Antonio Conte and the appointment of a new head coach.
Maurizio Sarri is expected to take over from Conte and is familiar with Serie A having spent his entire managerial career in Italy.
More: Football
Pjanic is considered one of the best midfielders in Serie A, but Juventus are willing to sell the 28-year-old to raise funds for other transfers.
Italian publication Corriere dello Sport claim Barcelona had been leading the race to sign Pjanic, but will now face competition from Chelsea.
Advertisement Advertisement
Juventus value Pjanic at £70million and Barcelona want the Bosnia and Herzegovina international to replace Andres Iniesta.
The club legend left Barcelona at the end of last season and the La Liga champions then missed out on their top target Antoine Griezmann.
But, Chelsea want Pjanic to rival Cesc Fabregas and eventually take over from the talented 31-year-old.
Fabregas is an integral part of Chelseas squad, but was rotated in and out of Contes side during last season.
Of the 36 appearances Fabregas made in the Premier League last season, 25 of those were starts and Chelsea are hopeful Pjanic will be able to challenge the Spaniard.
Chelsea will push ahead with their transfer plans and often do their business separate from their manager, but Sarri will have a chance to pick out the targets he would prefer.
The Blues have been linked with several Serie A stars in the past month including Mauro Icardi and Dries Mertens.
MORE: Maurizio Sarri tells friends he wants to sign Dries Mertens at Chelsea
MORE: Maurizio Sarri accepts Chelseas request to install Gianfranco Zola as assistant
More: Chelsea FC
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