Chelsea Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Paul Pogba and Javier Pastore

Mino Raiola, the agent for Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, has detailed how his client was pursued by Chelsea in 2015.

Pogba moved to Old Trafford this summer for a world-record transfer fee, although it’s suggested by Raiola that Jose Mourinho, now in charge of the Red Devils, has held a longstanding interest in the player. However, a deal in place between the Italian side and the agent prevented a move going through in 2015.

“Paul could have left [Juventus] last year because Mourinho—then at Chelsea—really wanted him,” Raiola told Rai Sport (h/t Agence France-Presse, via Sky Sports). “But Juventus and I had agreement: win the league title and the Champions League, then he can go.”

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Although Juventus didn’t make it to the pinnacle of European football, they did win four league titles in Pogba’s four seasons at the club.

Here’s a reminder of some of his best moments with the Italian champions:

The 23-year-old joined the Bianconeri in 2012 from the Red Devils; per BBC Sport, United paid around £89 million to bring him back ahead of the current season.

Had Mourinho managed to get Pogba to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2015, things may have been different for the Blues. Defending the title they won the previous season, Chelsea toiled badly, and the popular Portuguese coach was sacked with the club 16th in the table. Summer signings Pedro, Asmir Begovic, Baba Rahman and Radamel Falcao all failed to fire, too.

Pogba would have undoubtedly offered everyone at Chelsea a boost and given Mourinho something different in midfield.

Per Oliver Holt of the Mail on Sunday, already he looks to have settled into life in the Premier League:

Potentially operating alongside the likes of Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas, Pogba would have formed a formidable midfield triumvirate had he signed for Chelsea. Mourinho got his man one season too late for those of a blue persuasion, who will now watch on from afar wondering what might have been.

Javier Pastore Linked

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According to Tuttomercatoweb (h/t Alex Harris of the Daily Star), Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is hoping to land Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Javier Pastore in the January window.

Although the Argentina international has been in and out of the team in recent seasons in the French capital, it’s stated in the report that a deal will not be easy to get over the line for the Blues. Pastore also has three years remaining on his current contract.

Given PSG’s depth of squad, perhaps it’s no surprise that Pastore finds himself on the fringes at times. However, he has the creative ways to make a big impression for most sides in the European game.

This is what Pastore can offer:

In Fabregas, Oscar, Willian, Pedro and Eden Hazard, Chelsea are well stocked in terms of attacking midfielders, so it’d be a big surprise if strengthening this facet of squad was a priority for Conte, especially at the expense of defensive reinforcements.

Per BBC Sport’s Phil McNulty, the Blues’ work at the back has left much to be desired:

Indeed, a central defender who can make an immediate impact at Stamford Bridge must be top of Conte’s list of targets in January. Should Chelsea continue to rely heavily on veteran skipper John Terry, they'll find things tough this term.

Pastore would potentially make a difference, and he can add more fluidity to a team with his cerebral style. However, it’s difficult to see PSG selling a midfielder who offers something different to anyone else manager Unai Emery can call upon.