Barca ponder summer swoop for Pjanic; PSG to bid for Boufal

Barca ponder summer swoop for Pjanic

Spanish giants Barcelona are ready to step up their interest in AS Roma playmaker Miralem Pjanic, La Gazzetta dello Sport has suggested.

It is no secret that the Catalans have long been hot on the trail of the Bosnian footballer, but the January move seems unlikely due to club’s financial problems.

However, Barcelona should have money to spend next summer and they reportedly plan to recruit Pjanic ahead of the 2016/2017 season.

While AS Roma are not exactly ready to cash in on their prized asset, it is believed the Giallorossi would consider offers in the region of €40 million.

Miralem Pjanic, 25, has been one of club’s star performers this season, having managed 6 goals and 5 assists in 11 Serie A starts.

After sharing spoils with Bologna at the weekend, the Giallorossi are available at 11/4 shot to lift the Serie A trophy.

PSG to bid for Boufal

France Football is reporting that Paris Saint-Germain are readying a fresh assault on Lille midfielder Sofiane Boufal.

The 22-year-old only joined les Dogues from Angers in January this year, but he is now being linked with a big club move.

Having largely impressed since arriving at Lille, Boufal has caught the eye of quite a few top sides, although Paris Saint-Germain appear to be leading the chase.

The Saints officials have made an inquiry into the availability of the talented footballer and they plan to come forward with an official bid in January.

Boufal has scored a total of 7 goals in 26 league outings in less than a year with les Dogues and he has been the only bright spot in an otherwise disappointing campaign for the club.

Namely, having won just two of fourteen league games this season, Lille sit dangerously close to the relegation zone.

Sporting issue hands-off warning for Slimani

Sporting Lisbon have warned interested clubs that they will not be selling key attacker Islam Slimani in the winter transfer window, according to Record.

The Algerian forward has caught the eye of top clubs from England, Germany and France, and the Lions already had several official proposals rejected.

With Slimani in excellent form this season as well, his suitors are expected to come back with improved offers in January, but it is now clear that the Algeria star will not be leaving before the end of the season.

Namely, coach Jorge Jesus sees the 27-year-old as a key member of the squad at Estadio Jose Alvalade and wants him to stay and help the Lions lift the first league trophy since 2002.

As a result, Sporting Lisbon chairman Bruno de Carvalho has told interested clubs that Slimani is not available for sale in January.

The Algeria hotshot has continued with excellent showings in Portuguese Primeira Liga, having netted 7 times in 10 outings this term.

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