Carlo Ancelotti eyes Palermo’s Javier Pastore for Stamford Bridge
Chelsea are keeping tabs on Palermo’s attacking midfielder, Javier Pastore with a possible move in summer. Carlo Ancelotti is impressed with his performance in recent weeks and looks eager to have him in his squad for the next season. Although, Palermo are
reluctant to lose their prized asset, but it is rumoured that a bid of somewhere around £35m might just be enough for them to part company with him.
The Argentine joined Palermo in 2009 and has been in incredible form. He is considered by many as one of the brightest talents in football. The Italian club had signed Pastore from the Argentine side Huracan for a fee in the region of £6m.
The creative midfielder has a superb goal scoring record and ability to see runs of his team-mates. He is compared to Lampard for his goal scoring attributes and late runs into plenty box. Pastore scored a hat-trick in the last weekend's fixtures to move
his side into contention for European places. The delighted Argentine said after the game against Catania, “I have never scored a hat-trick before, not even in my country.”
His performances are sure to keep a host of clubs across Europe interested in him. He seems pretty happy at Palermo for the while, but it is only a matter of time before one of the top European clubs sign him.
He is touted to be a perfect replacement for Frank Lampard who is sidelined with a groin injury. Lampard last played for Chelsea in August and his comeback is hampered by multiple injuries. It seems that age is getting the better of Lampard, who is the mainstay
of Chelsea midfield. The midfield enforcer has made only three Premier League appearances for Blues so far this season.
Chelsea are short in midfield with Cole, Ballack and Deco all allowed to leave in summer. Lampard is out injured and there is no creative midfielder in their ranks. Ancelotti is currently playing the Russian left back Yuri in midfield.
Sources close to Palermo also say that a host of Premier League and Spanish clubs are keen to prize Pastore away. Chelsea boss has also made Pastore a priority target as he sees the youngster as a long-term replacement for Frank Lampard.
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