Why Juventus Would Be Foolish to Make Transfer Move for PSG's Javier Pastore

With Juventus struggling in the early part of 2015/16, it is little surprise to see suggestions that the club will look to make changes when the transfer window opens, hoping January will allow the Bianconeri to improve the squad.

A number of players have been linked with a move to Turin—with three such rumours addressed in this previous column—but the name of Javier Pastore has since been added to that growing list of potential signings.

According to the Calcio Mercato website, the arrival of Angel Di Maria at Paris Saint-Germain has made the former Palermo midfielder surplus to requirements and fuelled the idea he may return to Italy.

Pastore joined the Ligue 1 club back in 2011 as the first signing of their new cash-laden era and has won nine trophies in the intervening seasons. He became hugely important again last term, making 38 starts in all competitions as they brought yet another title back to the French capital and performed well in the Champions League.

Yet he has become somewhat marginalised once again this season, and openly complained to Le Journal Du Dimanche (h/t Gazzetta World) about his playing time being reduced to accommodate Zlatan Ibrahimovic in a deeper role under Laurent Blanc:

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At Palermo I was the brains of the operation. It isn’t the case here [at PSG] where there’s a lot of competition for places. I don’t really get it but I have to accept it and work hard to convince the coach in order to regain my spot in the starting line-up.

Ibrahimovic operates more or less in the position that suits me best, as he drops deeper and organises the play. When I don’t play he is the No.10, and when we are together then I have to be careful about not getting in his way.

"

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That original report from Calcio Mercato noted that his current club were looking for around €35 million but believed that the situation could allow Juventus to sign Pastore “for a much more reasonable amount.”

However, the 26-year-old—who has a contract until 2019—reportedly earns €770,000 a month, per Le Parisien (h/t ESPN), which would make such a move hugely prohibitive for the Bianconeri.

Furthermore, coach Massimiliano Allegri has a plethora of attacking midfielders in his squad, which limits the club's need for such a player. On loan from Chelsea, Juan Cuadrado has arguably been the pick of the bunch, providing a constant attacking outlet and proving to be a superb acquisition.

“He has pace and great technique when taking men on," Allegri said after the recent win against Sevilla game (h/t ESPN). “He is starting to realise when to pass the ball. If he learns the timing and when to set up his teammates, he can become simply unstoppable.”

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While the Colombia international has thrived, Hernanes made his debut in the attacking-midfield role against Chievo and looked thoroughly impressive before being moved into a deeper role in subsequent matches.

Roberto Pereyra has also been a reliable performer since joining the club from Udinese last term, and—while he has slipped down the pecking order after those summer additions—is likely to be given more opportunities as the season rolls on.

So, while Javier Pastore’s future may well lie away from PSG, the combination of that aforementioned trio of players plus his wages and potential transfer fee make talk of a move to Juventus ultimately foolish for all concerned.