Javier Pastore, the Argentine midfielder, who joined Paris Saint-Germain on August 6, 2011, for a hefty fee at the tender age of 22, has reportedly been seeking a move away from Parc Des Princes. Pastore’s signing, which was a record fee paid by a French club back in 2011, signaled PSG’s intent to buy the best players in Europe.
The technically gifted playmaker can play in several positions. His tall, slender build complimented by his work-rate allows him operate as a winger or a deep-lying midfielder depending on the team’s requirement. The creative midfielder has a knack for not only creating but also scoring goals for his club.
Pastore, who has gone on to make over 150 appearances at Paris, has failed to cement a regular starting place in his 6-year tenure at the club due to some unfortunate recurring injuries. The 28-year old will now find it difficult to regain a regular starting spot with the likes of Rabiot, Motta and Verratti orchestrating the PSG midfield.
PSG on the other hand, spend close to £200 million in transfers this summer and are likely to list a host of big names on their selling list to balance the books. It is now being considered that Pastore could pack his bags and be on his way without Paris causing much trouble. With Pastore himself falling down the pecking order, a move for the Argentine could be possible in the January window.
The three major European clubs interested in signing Pastore are Chelsea, Liverpool and Inter Milan.
Klopp will like to see the Argentine as an ideal replacement to Adam Lallana who is yet to feature this season due to injury. More relevant, however, is the fact that Emre Can has entered the last year of his contract. The exciting German playmaker has been linked with a number of clubs across Europe and with Can yet to sign an extension with only seven weeks left to January, a time from which he can negotiate with other clubs for a pre-contract agreement; Klopp will want a solution to his midfield crisis.
In such a situation, the pursuit of Pastore becomes relevant and adding a player of his experience and calibre to a young, exciting Liverpool side will definitely enrich their midfield quality.
Pastore’s ability to play in multiple positions will also prove extremely beneficial to Klopp, who likes to build a versatile team with players who can fit in more than one position should the circumstance demand so.
