Juventus replace Manchester United-bound Paul Pogba with Marko Pjaca – ‘a mix of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka’
Italian fans aren't best pleased with key midfielder returning to Old Trafford – but new playmaker tipped to become a legend
PAUL POGBA is on the verge of joining Manchester United, but Juventus fans will soon be forgetting about the Frenchman after bagging prodigy Marko Pjaca.
The Croatian ace has just moved to Turin for a staggering £20million and was being chased by a host of top clubs including Premier League giants Liverpool.
Marko Pjaca is the name everyone is talking about at Juventus
Pjaca, who played as a winger for old club Dinamo Zagreb but is expected to become a central playmaker in Max Allegri’s narrow 4-diamond-2 formation, is one of Europe’s most highly-rated youngsters, and has been described as a cross between Real Madrid ace Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazil icon Kaka.
The 21-year-old has already been capped 11 times for his country despite the presence of stars such as Ivan Rakitic, Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic, and looks set to have a bright future with the Serie A champions.
Some Juve fans have been left stumped by signing a relatively low-profile name to replace world star Pogba, but Pjaca’s agent is adamant his client will become a club hero in the future.
Marko Naletilic said: “You will see. Soon he will surprise everyone. He can play as a striker, just off the main forward or as a trequartista.
“Yes, a trequartista like Kaka, with the intention to attack. Comparisons are always difficult, but I see Marko as a mix of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo.
“To be clear, we are talking about a 21-year-old who still has to develop a lot more and overcome certain weak points.
“There was an embarrassment of options. AC Milan, Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, Schalke, Wolfsburg, Fiorentina.
“Marko, however, wanted Juventus at all costs. And I assure you that at Milan and other clubs he could have earned almost double.
“Initially he might not play much or come on as a substitute, but I am sure that in time he will become indispensable to Allegri. We are talking about a true talent. He can become a symbol for Juventus.”
The Italian champs have certainly shown they mean business in the transfer window, completing a club record £75m deal to sign Gonzalo Higuain from Napoli.
Cash has also been splashed on Roma playmaker Miralem Pjanic, while Dani Alves and Medhi Benatia joined from Barcelona and Bayern Munich respectively.