Liverpool Transfer News: Buzz on Javier Pastore Contract, Miralem Pjanic Rumours
Liverpool could be poised to make some substantial recruitment in midfield after Javier Pastore revealed that contract talks at Paris Saint-Germain are on hold, while more positive news has emerged in the hunt for Miralem Pjanic.
PSG's Pastore has gone through a resurgence at Parc des Princes this season and started in 24 of his 27 Ligue 1 appearances. However, the playmaker told Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo (h/t ESPN FC's Ian Holyman) that talks regarding an extension are uncertain:
"The talks have been stopped. We're not talking about extending my contract any more. I'm calm. I have a year left on my contract, and I'm going to keep my word and respect my contract. I don't know if the talks will start again.
I'm calm. I have to finish this season in the best of ways -- try to win as many trophies as possible with PSG. I still have a year left on my contract after that. I haven't thought about leaving or staying, I live in the present.
"
Pastore has made seven assists in league competition this term and been one of the standout players under manager Laurent Blanc, but his current deal will expire in the summer of 2016.
Still just 25 years of age, the Argentina international has plenty of years left to keep progressing, but Pastore went on to hint at his intention to reunite with former PSG manager Carlo Ancelotti.
"He's a coach who also wanted me when he was at Chelsea. He's one of the European coaches who has followed me since I was young," he said. "Is he pushing to get me? Perhaps, because he knows me. Perhaps, because he also wanted me in the past. But he hasn't told me personally."
The fact that Pastore doesn't know "if the talks will start again" at all shows just how uncertain his place with the reigning Ligue 1 champions is, and Liverpool could be smart to pounce.
With Steven Gerrard departing for L.A. Galaxy at the end of the current season, there will be a creative void in the Reds squad, with Bleacher Report's Thom Gibbs recently talking up James Milner's rumoured prospect:
Milner and Pastore possess entirely different skill sets, the latter being one far more focused on the provisional aspect and less on the grunt work Milner thrives upon.
However, with barely a year remaining on his deal in the French capital, Pastore could be a fine pickup if made available for a cut-price fee, with Squawka outlining his metronomic influence this term:
A lot of Liverpool's summer investment will depend largely on who departs Anfield, with space likely to be freed up by those deemed dead wood at this stage.
However, with Pastore potentially pulling the parachute at PSG, Rodgers would be wise to monitor Pastore's position in Paris and whether or not he remains a valued member of their squad this summer.
Miralem Pjanic 'Available for £21.8 Million'
Another, more readily available recruit come the end of this campaign could be Roma's Pjanic, who it appears could be sold by the Giallorossi this year as they look to raise funds of their own.
According to Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport (h/t Metro.co.uk's Paul Gorst), Roma are willing to sell their creative maestro for as little as £21.8 million, which could rightly be considered a bargain figure.
The 25-year-old has scored four goals and made six assists in 26 Serie A games this season but recently went through a lull in form and became a less prominent part of Rudi Garcia's squad.
FourFourTwo's Adam Digby cited Corriere dello Sport last month when reporting that Pjanic was ready for a Stadio Olimpico exit, with Merseyside being his supposed destination:
Garcia's Roma have done their best to contend with Juventus over the past couple of seasons in making a charge at the Scudetto, but Massimiliano Allegri's Turin titans remain Italy's in-form power.
That lack of competition combined with the more lucrative ventures available in England may convince some stars to depart, with Pjanic seemingly among the most likely to head out their door in the coming months.
