Paris SG enter fray for Palermo’s Pastore
Leonardo set to sign Menez
Paris St Germain are ready to rival Chelsea for the signature of Palermo playmaker Javier Pastore.
Palermo vice-president Gug-lielmo Micciche earlier claimed the 22-year-old was “very likely “ to move to Stamford Bridge but Maurizio Zamparini, the president of the Sicilian club, has since told Italian television that PSG are also contenders.
The Parisians, recently taken over by the Qatar Investment Authority, have emerged as big-hitters in the transfer market this summer and Zamparini believes it is between them and Chelsea for the Argentina international.
He said: “(PSG sporting director) Leonardo is a great man. He called me and told me he was very interested in Pastore.”
Zamparini is hoping a deal can be struck this week.
“On Tuesday, we have a meeting with his agent,” he said.
“PSG and Chelsea are the two teams in the lead on this issue. There are one or two opportunities in Spain but, either way, he will not stay in Italy.”
Pastore was instrumental as Palermo finished eighth in Serie A last season and reached the final of the Coppa Italia, in which they lost to Inter.
Micciche is a huge admirer of Pastore and hinted he would be playing in the Premier League next season.
He said: “We are talking about a great player who, in my opinion, is extraordinary. There is no doubt that he should be sold for several reasons. He wants a big club and negotiations are well advanced with a very important team.
“Very likely he will go to Chelsea but I think there are many other clubs of that level looking at the boy.’’
Meanwhile, French international striker Jeremy Menez is set to complete his move from Roma to PSG today.
Sources told AFP that Menez will sign a three-year contract with PSG.
French and Italian media claim the transfer fee is in the region of €8 million.
Menez will be the first signing for PSG since former Inter coach Leonardo arrived at the club as director of football on July 13.
The striker was left out of a friendly on Saturday which led to speculation over his future.
The 24-year-old began his career with Sochaux before moving to Monaco in 2006. Two years later he moved to Roma, scoring seven goals in 82 games.