Liverpool and Tottenham have been rebuffed in their attempts to make a move for PSG midfielder Javier Pastore
Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a blow in their attempt to sign Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Javier Pastore. The player has rejected both the Premier League sides in favour of securing a move to Italian giants Inter Milan, according to reports from renowned Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.
The 30-time capped Argentine international, who joined PSG in 2011 from Italian side Palermo, has been reduced to somewhat of a peripheral figure at Parc des Princes this season, following the club’s huge summer outlay to bring in Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.
And with the likes of Angel Di Maria and Julian Draxler also ahead of Pastore in the pecking order, game time has come at a premium for the player.
Pastore, in the 2017/18 season, has made just 14 appearances in the Ligue 1, only eight of which have been from the start. He has shown signs of his quality in his limited appearances, scoring four goals and registering one assist.
However, with the probability of his game time with PSG increasing highly unlikely, he has his eyes set on a move away, particularly to Inter. And to this end, he has reportedly rebuffed the advances of both Liverpool and Tottenham.
Liverpool are in the market to replace playmaker Philippe Coutinho, following his £142 million transfer to Barcelona earlier this month. Manager Jurgen Klopp has hinted that he is not in a hurry to sign a replacement, but will be forced into action if the right player comes along.
The Reds have also been linked with a move for AS Monaco’s Thomas Lemar and could be poised to sign him in the coming days, meaning Pastore’s rejection won’t come as a major blow for the club.
PSG have received offers from Tottenham & Liverpool for Javier Pastore, between €25M & €40M (£22M & £35M). However the Argentinian midfielder rejected both destinations. [@DiMarzio] #LFC pic.twitter.com/PKxtIP6y1F
— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) January 25, 2018
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino is also understood to be keen on strengthening his side’s attacking department to aid his side’s chances of achieving a top-four finish in the Premier League.
The North Londoners are understood to be close to completing the signing of Pastore’s PSG teammate Lucas Moura, for a fee reported to be in the range of £23 million and were also exploring the possibility of getting the Argentine on board as well.
However, Pastore has rejected their advances as well, as he wishes to return to Italy, with Inter working on getting a deal done at the earliest for the midfielder.
PSG are insistent upon a permanent transfer for the midfielder, as they look to balance their books, but are open to a loan deal, if it includes an option to make it a permanent transfer at the end of the season. With both the club and the player wanting it done, a deal should be completed in all likelihood before the deadline day.
