Despite a dramatic upturn is Premier League results, it appears Antonio Conte is looking to add to his array of creative options, with Javier Pastore to Chelsea links appearing in today’s back pages.
Cesc Fabregas could well move on as a result of this apparent interest after falling down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge under Blues boss Conte, who is reportedly readying a bid for PSG’s Argentina international playmaker Pastore.
Read about this and other juicy transfer gossip in more detail in this latest edition of the Coral Rumour Reel…
Pastore to Chelsea?
Former Palermo player Pastore is understood to be frustrated by his lack of playing time at the Parc des Princes this term. Like Chelsea, PSG are under new management with successful Sevilla coach Unai Emery replacing Laurent Blanc over the summer.
Pastore, now 27, has as many caps for Argentina as his age since making his international debut in 2010 while with Sicilian side Palermo.
He is unable to press any claims of being a squad regular for his country, however, as Emery has allowed him to complete a full 90 minutes of football for PSG just once this season so far.
Meanwhile, reports suggest Conte’s Blues are looking to bolster their creative options as Fabregas struggles to adapt to the Italian manager’s new system.
Pastore was a reported target for Chelsea on previous occasions and, with the silky operator looking for a new challenge, it looks like they could finally land their man.
However, the Stamford Bridge outfit may face competition from Italy in the form of Inter Milan and their new owners, while the Chinese Super League is also a possible destination for Pastore.
Baggies swoop for Silva?
Sporting Lisbon star Adrien Silva reportedly nearly joined reigning Premier League champions Leicester City this summer, but the move fell through as the clubs failed to see eye-to-eye over a fee.
However, now a move to England appears to be drawing closer with Tony Pulis’ West Bromwich Albion circling.
Euro 2016 winner Silva is a classic and strong box-to-box midfielder, but Baggies may have to fork out a fortune to get him.
Sporting shifted the goalposts on the Foxes at the last minute during the summer window, demanding his release clause of £38.5m be met.
West Brom are unlikely to pay this for Silva and, with a contract stretching to 2020, a move away from Portugal could be scuppered if Pulis fails to pay close to the eyebrow raising release clause.
Could Rooney return to Everton?
In a recent interview, Everton manager Ronald Koeman claimed he would be “pleased” to bring Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney back to Goodison Park.
Since Jose Mourinho’s arrival, Rooney has found playing time hard to come by and has spent most of the last few weeks occupying a place on the United bench.
Former Toffees teenager Rooney is just three strikes shy of Sir Bobby Charlton’s all-time Red Devils goals record, but serious doubt is now being cast over his future for both club and country.
With new Everton owner Farhad Moshiri keep to splash the cash, a Toffee return could be in the offing. However, a lucrative move to the MLS or China may be more likely.
