Miralem Pjanic set for early Barcelona return?

Besiktas are reportedly keen to bring an early end to Miralem Pjanic's loan deal from Barcelona in January.

The 31-year-old has been on loan at Vodafone Park since the beginning of September after falling down the pecking order at Camp Nou, but he has struggled for regular game time at the Turkish outfit too.

Pjanic has played in just two Super Lig games since September, and the club are reportedly unhappy with his physical condition.

Bosnian outlet Zurnal claims that Besiktas are keen to terminate his loan early and send him back to Barcelona in January.

However, the report adds that Barcelona still deem him surplus to requirements at Camp Nou, despite Xavi taking over from sacked manager Ronald Koeman.

The Spanish giants are therefore expected to place Pjanic immediately on the transfer list once again in a bid to free up wages in an attempt to bring in reinforcements in January.

Barca's Champions League group stage exit is understood to have dented their ability to sign new players, meaning that they are more likely to need to sell players before bringing anyone else in.

Pjanic has played 11 times for Besiktas in all competitions since joining on loan, chalking up four assists.