Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Javier Pastore and Juan Cuadrado Rumours

Chelsea are expected to make a move for Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Javier Pastore, per reports in Tutto Mercato Web (h/t Anthony Chapman of the Sun).

The Argentina international has struggled for first-team action under manager Laurent Blanc this term due to the summer arrival of Angel di Maria in a big-money switch from Manchester United. 

Per WhoScored.com, the former Palermo midfielder has been restricted to just nine starts in the league during this campaign, as PSG romped to a fourth successive Ligue 1 title.

The Parisian club were unchallenged throughout as they secured the domestic title in the second weekend of March, only falling to their first defeat in the league against Lyon in Gameweek 28.

Per UEFA.com, Pastore became the most expensive player bought by a French club in 2011 when he moved to the capital from the Island of Sicily in a deal reportedly worth €42 million. 

The lanky midfielder—who has won 27 caps for his country—is an elegant and creative player with sublime close control. Pastore can be relied upon to locate his team-mates with defence-splitting passes. During his time in Italy, he also chipped in with his fair share of goals, finishing his final season in Serie A as Palermo's highest scorer with 11, per UEFA.com.

Chelsea are readying themselves for the arrival of Italy manager Antonio Conte following the conclusion of the European Championship in France this summer. The former Juventus head coach is widely expected to recruit from his homeland, but the west Londoners have also sought out the availability of El Flaco and have met with his representatives.

Per Champman, the Stamford Bridge club see 26-year-old Pastore as an ideal candidate to help rebuild the Chelsea midfield and could used him as replacement for Oscar. The Brazilian midfielder has struggled for form during the Blues’ dismal championship defence and has been linked with a move in the opposite direction, per the Sun’s Wally Downes Jr.

One player who looks certain to depart Chelsea in the upcoming off season is Juan Cuadrado, with reports linking him with a move to Atletico Madrid, per Harry De Cosemo of Marca.

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The wide midfielder has spent this season on loan at Serie A leaders Juventus and was expected to secure a permanent deal with the Turin club when his temporary spell came to a conclusion, per De Cosemo. 

However, Chelsea would reportedly favour to work out a deal with Diego Simeone’s outfit for the Colombian winger, instead of the Italian champions. 

Cuadrado won the man-of-the match award for his most recent performance for Juve, as detailed by WhoScored.com: 

The 27-year-old signed terms with the Blues in January 2014 after moving from Fiorentina, but the flanker failed to establish himself in Jose Mourinho’s starting lineup and was sent back across Europe just six months later.

Cuadrado has enjoyed the current season with Juve, helping the title challengers surge up the division following an awful start to the campaign and has featured in 25 league matches scoring four goals, per Soccerway.