140630) -- BRASILIA, June 30, 2014 (Xinhua) -- France's Paul Pogba celebrates a goal during a Round of 16 match between France and Nigeria of 2014 FIFA World Cup at the Estadio Nacional Stadium in Brasilia, Brazil, on June 30, 2014. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)(xzj)
Turin, June 14 (IANS) Italian football champions Juventus have prepared themselves in case of a possible departure of midfield sensation Paul Pogba with the signing of Roma's Miralem Pjanic to a five-year contract.
"Juventus Football Club can confirm that Miralem Pjanic has completed a permanent switch from Roma for a fee of 32 million euros ($35.9 million)," the turin-based club said in a statement on Monday.
"The 26-year-old has signed a five-year contract with the club."
Pjanic who completed the medical tests earlier, will reportedly get a deal worth 4.5 million euros ($5 million) per season.
He had been linked with English Premier League clubs Manchester United and Chelsea.
Pogba has reportedly been linked to Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United with the Madrid-based club being told by Juventus to pay 120 million euros ($134.7 million) to get the services of the 23-year-old Frenchman.
Pjanic handed in an official transfer request on Saturday. The player informed Roma that he wished to activate a release clause in his contract that allowed him to leave for a pre-agreed amount, adding that he would pay 20 per cent of the fee himself, with Juventus making up the balance.
The Bosnia-Herzegovina international joined Roma from French outfit Lyon in 2011 for 11 million euros, and scored 30 goals in 185 appearances for the capital club.
After spending most of his youth in Luxembourg, he established himself as one of the best players in Serie A with a knack for scoring spectacular goals.
However, when signing a new contract in 2014, a 38 million release clause was included, and Juventus activated it before taking him to Turin.
"Im delighted that Ill be wearing the Juventus shirt from now on. It's a great feeling, and I hope to score lots of goals, play well and win. I just want to make the Juve fans happy," Pjanic said in a video.
"I'm delighted to be here, and I hope to give you lots to celebrate on the pitch. I hope we can win together, forza Juve," he added.
I hope itll continue to be just as hard for opponents here and that well enjoy a lot of success together."
