Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest on Miralem Pjanic, Hatem Ben Arfa Rumours
Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic has dismissed speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid, insisting it is “impossible” for him to leave the Stadio Olimpico.
According to Jose Felix Diaz of Marca, Los Blancos have made contact with the playmaker about a potential move to the Santiago Bernabeu and the 25-year-old is an “out-and-out target” for the capital club. However, when asked about potentially leaving the Giallorossi, Pjanic’s response was emphatic.
“Real Madrid interest? I am focused on Roma at the moment,” said the Bosnian, per Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t FourFourTwo). “We are still fighting for the Scudetto and have the Champions League round of 16 coming up. That's why leaving Roma is impossible right now.”
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Pjanic’s agent, Michael Becker, also dismissed claims there have been ongoing negotiations between the two parties. “These rumours surprise me. I don't know where they are coming from,” he said, per the previous piece. “Neither Miralem, nor his father or Roma have been in touch with Real Madrid, Barcelona or any other European club.”
Rumours about a possible move didn’t seem too surprising initially, given Pjanic is one of the best midfielders in European football. Here’s a look at some of his finest moments from the campaign so far:
The midfielder has been in wonderful form this season. Although Roma have been pretty hit-and-miss as a whole, Pjanic has been metronomically steady in the middle of the park, with his vast passing range and wonderful set-piece ability major assets for the Serie A side.
As we can see here courtesy of WhoScored.com, the former Lyon man has been decisive in the final third too:
Real aren’t in desperate need of midfield options, though. Already they have Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Isco, Mateo Kovacic and Casemiro in the middle of the park, and as talented as Pjanic is, he’s a player who would have to wait for his chance in the team. When you consider at Roma he’s a critical cog, it’s a move which may not be quite as appealing as it seems at first glance.
Hatem Ben Arfa Interest Revealed
According to Nice manager Claude Puel, Real Madrid have been keeping a close eye on controversial winger Hatem Ben Arfa.
“I am not surprised to hear that big clubs such as Real Madrid are keeping tabs on him,” Puel told Nice Matin (h/t Alex Sharp of the MailOnline). “…I do not agree with those who say Hatem needs to be at a small club in order to deliver his best performances. I hope for him that he no longer plays for Nice next season.”
The Frenchman has earned a reputation as something of a badboy throughout his career, failing to live up to the exceptional potential he showcased at an early age with Lyon. A spell at Newcastle United was mixed, before Ben Arfa flopped on loan at Hull City and then moved back to Ligue 1.
As we can see here, since moving to Nice, he seems a lot more focused and, subsequently, has been a delight to watch:
Credit must go to Puel, who has built a set-up which allows the 28-year-old freedom to flourish. Squawka Football noted recently just how successful Ben Arfa has been committing opposition players this season:
The talent is there for Ben Arfa to play for a team such as Real Madrid, that’s beyond dispute. But his laboured demeanour on the field during spells with Marseille, Newcastle and Hull didn’t earn him too many admirers. Indeed, he certainly wouldn’t be afforded the same luxuries with Los Blancos as he currently has with Nice.
For the time being, Ben Arfa is surely better off sticking around with his current employers. While there are still doubts about his temperament, finally we are beginning to see his unquestionable talent channelled in the right direction. Moving to Real Madrid and the pressures which accompany such a switch could easily knock him off track once again.
