Marina Granovskaia, Chelsea’s director and lead negotiator, has spoken to Miralem Pjanic’s advisers and established that there is a £31 million buyout clause in the Bosnia-Herzegovina midfielder’s contract at Roma.
Pjanic, 25, is one of the players recommended by Antonio Conte, the Italy coach who is expected to be named the new Chelsea manager this month along with Radja Nainggolan, his Roma team-mate.
The club would have little trouble meeting the buyout clause or Pjanic’s £60,000-a-week salary and it is understood that the player is interested in moving to Stamford Bridge despite the possibility of missing out on Champions League football.
A deal to sign Nainggolan would be more difficult to conclude however, as the Belgian international does not have a buy-out clause in his contract and Roma would almost certainly resist selling two midfield players in one summer.
Chelsea’s other main priorities ahead of the summer transfer window are signing an experienced centre-back given the anticipated departure of John Terry, while they also be in the market for two strikers if Diego Costa returns to Atlético Madrid.