Italy’s Tuttomercatoweb (TMW) claim that Chelsea have already initiated contact with Argentina star Javier Pastore’s entourage. The former Palermo man looks likely to be the subject of a bidding war between the Blues and long-time admirers Juventus.
Antonio Conte, who looks set to revamp the Chelsea squad in the summer, is apparently in pursuit of the Argentine playmaker. Pastore was a part of the Serie A exodus to Paris Saint-Germain in 2011 when the ownership of the French club changed hands.
PSG paid a whopping €39.8 million to secure the services of the ex-Huracan playmaker from Palermo, who had bought him for a meagre €4.7 million in 2009.
The Old Lady a preferred destination?
Ever since Massimiliano Allegri took over, Juventus has been in pursuit of a playmaker and have been linked to the same names over and over again. Pastore himself acknowledged Juve’s interest last year, saying that he was “grateful for clubs seeking him out” (via ESPN FC).
The are two likely scenarios in the summer: Pastore could become the subject of a bidding war between Chelsea and Juventus — a bidding war that Juventus are likely to lose out or give up on since they can hardly match the monetary prowess of the club from West London — or Pastore moves to Chelsea, which opens the door for Brazilian midfielder Oscar to head in the opposite direction to Turin.
Starting afresh
Injuries have limited the Argentine playmaker to making only 13 appearances in the league this season, of which five were off the bench. But he has managed to score two goals and provide four assists even in this limited scope. In his five years with the club, he has not been able to establish himself as an indispensable member of the squad and perhaps it is time for the 26-year-old to find newer pastures.
The Conte Conundrum
Regardless of the reports, Conte is not known for using wingers and advanced playmakers in his system. The only wingers he used in his system at Bari and Juventus were attacking wing-backs. With Cuadrado also rumoured to be on his way back to Chelsea, one can only speculate as to what the Italian plans to do with the squad.
Antonio Conte is nothing if not adaptable however, and in a physically demanding, pace-driven league like the Premier League, one doubts if he will overlook the importance of attacking wingers and advanced playmakers.
