Barcelona agree Pjanic signing after letting Arthur join Juventus
Shortly after confirming that Arthur Melo will move to Juventus, Barcelona announced that Miralem Pjanic will go in the opposite direction.
Barcelona have agreed a deal to sign Miralem Pjanic from Juventus for an initial 60 million euros, with Arthur Melo to move in the opposite direction in a separate arrangement.
Pjanic to sign four-year deal with Barcelona
Pjanic will put pen to paper on a four-year contract with Barça and join them at the conclusion of the 2019/20 campaign. The transfer includes an additional 5m euros in variables.
Arthur to join Juventus for initial fee of 72m euros
Earlier on Monday, it was announced that Arthur will join Juve from next season for an initial 72m euros. The Brazil international could cost a further 10m euros in add-ons and is to sign a five-year contract, the Bianconeri said.
Bosnia-Herzegovina international Pjanic is seven years Arthur's senior and has been at Juve since a switch from Roma in 2016.
The set-piece specialist has remained an integral part of the team since Maurizio Sarri replaced Massimiliano Allegri as head coach for this season, although he arguably does not entirely meet the ex-Napoli and Chelsea boss' very specific demands for his holding midfielder.
Pjanic well-placed to win fourth Serie A title with Juve
Pjanic has won Serie A in each of his three completed seasons in Turin, scoring 22 times in 171 appearances across all competitions.
He is well-placed to make it four in a row, with Juve four points clear of Lazio in this season's Scudetto race, although Barcelona's plans to freshen up their midfield are perhaps partially explained by them falling two points shy of Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga – meaning Arthur might struggle to leave as a back-to-back champion.