Miralem Pjanic set to complete Barcelona exit
Karan Tejwani
- 6 Sept 2022 14:20 BST
- 3 min read
Barcelona have had a frantic transfer window with a host of incomings and outgoings, and they aren’t done with their business just yet as another player is set to depart soon.
Miralem Pjanic is close to completing a deal to Sharjah FC in the United Arab Emirates, despite playing with the first-team in the club’s pre-season tour of the United States.
The Bosnian midfielder has travelled to the UAE today to complete the move and seal his exit from Barcelona, ending his unconvincing two-year stay with the Blaugrana.
It’s a change from the club’s tone earlier, as Xavi wished to give Pjanic a chance, making this move after the end of the transfer window a slight surprise.
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Pjanic set for UAE
In the middle of the summer, there were links for a move to Saudi club Al Nassr, but now, Sharjah have come into the picture and offered the player a three-year deal.
Letting go of Pjanic is quite important in the grander context for Barcelona, as they can now accelerate the process of extending Gavi’s contract at the club.
Gavi is still on an under-19s deal, and the club wished to put him on a professional contract when he turned 18 last month, but that hasn’t happened yet.
Miralem Pjanić, out of Barça squad as he’s set to complete his move to Sharjah FC as revealed yesterday. 🔴🇦🇪 #FCB
Xavi: “Pjanić has decided to leave for more opportunities — he has been a great professional, so I think he had chances here but everyone chooses their own path”. pic.twitter.com/MlmU54R8qA— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 6, 2022
If Pjanic is able to complete his move to Sharjah in the coming days, Barcelona will be able to wrap up negotiations with Gavi.
Pjanic’s departure would mean they lose a figure in their midfield options, but are still fairly stacked in that area with he likes of Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Pedri, Sergio Busquets and Franck Kessie there to fill up.
Additionally, the likes of Sergi Roberto and youngster Pablo Torre can accommodate, giving coach Xavi plenty of options in his team.
Pjanic signed for Barcelona in 2020 in a move that saw Arthur go the other way in a move to balance the books by previous president Josep Bartomeu.
