Marko Pjaca FiorentinaGetty Images

Pjaca to remain at Fiorentina before likely summer departure from Juventus

Marko Pjaca is set to remain at Fiorentina before a likely departure from Juventus next summer, Goal understands.

Pjaca joined Fiorentina on a season-long loan in August with Juve receiving €2 million (£1.8m/$2.3m) as a result.

Fiorentina have the option to make the move permanent for €20m (£18m/$23m) next summer but a deal remains in doubt with Pjaca failing to impress in Florence so far.

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Pjaca has disappointed the Viola faithful, recording just one goal and one assist in 11 appearances to date, but the Croatia ace is unlikely to cut short his loan from Juve.

Fiorentina will decide whether to keep Pjaca at the end of the season but it would take a big upturn in form in the second half of the campaign for them to do so.

The player's future at Juve also remains unclear and it appears likely that he will leave the Bianconeri, regardless of whether Fiorentina decide to sign him permanently.

Juve are spoilt for choice in the final third with Cristiano Ronaldo, Mario Mandzukic, Paulo Dybala, Federico Bernardeschi, Juan Cuadrado and Douglas Costa among their many options.

Pjaca moved to the Serie A giants from Dinamo Zagreb for €23m (£21m/$26m) after impressing for Croatia at the Euro 2016.

The 23-year-old helped Juve secure a league and cup double in 2016-17, making 20 appearances and scoring one goal, before moving to Schalke on loan in the following season.

He scored twice in nine appearances to help Schalke finish second in the Bundesliga and qualify for the Champions League in 2017-18.

Pjaca's loan stint at Fiorentina has not caught fire as of yet but the forward could turn things around - starting against parent club Juve on Saturday.

Fiorentina are currently 10th in Serie A and 19 points behind league leaders and rivals Juve ahead of the match at Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Juve's trip to Fiorentina kicks off a tough run of games for Massimiliano Allegri's men as they go in search of a treble this season.

They face Inter at home after Fiorentina before trips to Young Boys in the Champions League and Turin rivals Torino in Serie A.

And then Allegri's men tackle Roma, Atalanta and Sampdoria as they finish off the festive period and round off 2018.

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