Modric move in doubt as Chelsea turn their attentions to Pastore

Palermo will sit down with Javier Pastore’s agent on Teusday in talks about a potential move away from the club and it is believed Chelsea and Paris-Saint Germain will feature heavily.

The 22-year-old Argentine has been linked with a move away from Palermo all summer as Europe’s top teams chase one of the brightest talents in world football, and it seems his future could be sorted by the end of the week with Palermo already in advanced talks with a high-profile club.

Whether that club is Chelsea or Paris Saint-Germain remains to be seen, but Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has confirmed the club have concrete offers on the table.

“For Pastore’s transfer we will not accept player-exchange deals,” said Zamparini.

“For me and for Pastore’s agent, the only valid ones are cash offers. On Tuesday we will look with Pastore’s agent at the concrete offers we have. I believe we are in the final stretch of his transfer.”

Palermo’s vice-president Guglielmo Micciche has suggested that Pastore’s next club would be Chelsea, saying: “It’s very probable that Pastore will go to Chelsea, but I think there are other top-level teams who are after the player.”

“He wants a big club and there are advanced talks with very important teams. If someone pays the right money then we will be happy to sell him.”

That right money is believed to be around €40m or £35m, but considering Pastore is yet to establish himself in the Argentina team, that figure looks optimistic from the Palermo board.

Should Pastore make the move to Stamford Bridge then further doubts would be cast on the futures of Nicolas Anelka and Solomon Kalou, but the Argentine would be an important addition to Chelsea’s title charge.

Andres Villas-Boas’ side are the 5/2 second favourites to win the Premier League next season and the attacking ability of Pastore would certainly improve their chances.