Sporting director Walter Sabatini jokes Roma “can’t even answer the phone” in case a bid comes for Miralem Pjanic.
The Bosnian midfielder has a €38m release clause in his contract, and it has been suggested in recent weeks that Juventus will trigger it.
The director admitted yesterday that there's nothing the club can do to block the Bianconeri, but reiterated the desire to keep Pjanic today.
Sporting director Walter Sabatini jokes Roma “can’t even answer the phone” in case a bid comes for Miralem Pjanic.
The Bosnian midfielder has a €38m release clause in his contract, and it has been suggested in recent weeks that Juventus will trigger it.
The director admitted yesterday that there's nothing the club can do to block the Bianconeri, but reiterated the desire to keep Pjanic today.
“Regarding Pjanic, we’re in a situation of total immobility,” Sabatini told reporters at the Ussi Prize ceremony.
“We mustn’t do anything, we can’t even answer the phone because it’s a deal we don’t want to do. Pjanic might go – hopefully not – but only if someone pays the clause.
“It’s something that concerns us daily, but it doesn’t affect our behaviour. We’re doing nothing, we’re a passive witness.
“I haven’t spoken with him. He talked to the Coach [Luciano Spalletti] and he reaffirmed his desire to stay at Roma.
“I don’t have to talk to the player, he’s not for sale. If someone wants him they’ll have to pay the clause.
“Juventus? There’s a commotion around this. I keep seeing stuff about quasi-talks or auto-negotiations and that names that aren’t Juventus could be considered by Roma, but that’s not the case.
“In this situation, Roma must do nothing, and we don’t want to do anything. There’s a clause in his contract that would allow the player to leave, and that’s the only way he’ll go.”
Sabatini was also asked about Edin Dzeko, who had a difficult first season in Serie A.
“He’s a very strong player who has had an unhappy year. He started with certain assumptions which didn’t come true, but he’s still a top-class player.
“We’ll need a strong and definitive meeting with him and the Coach to understand what his role will be for Roma.
“If we don’t have everything we need, we’ll take a decision together. He’ll always be an asset though.”