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Liverpool to trump Arsenal and Chelsea with January bid for PSG star Javier Pastore
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN playmaker Javier Pastore could the subject of a bid from Liverpool in the January transfer market, amid interest from Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea.
Arsenal made a late enquiry for Pastore on deadline day, before landing Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid for £42.5million.
Chelsea have also been linked with the 24-year-old, but Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers hopes to pip the London clubs with a bid in the New Year.
Pastore was dropped for PSG's 1-1 draw with title rivals Monaco last weekend, and is said to be considering his future in Paris.
The player's agent Marcelo Simonian ruled out a return to Italy for his client, having left Palermo for PSG for over £30m in August 2011.
Liverpool remain intent on signing a marquee creative midfielder after missing out on Willian, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Christian Eriksen.
The Reds may have to pay up to £20m to secure Pastore, but reports in Italy suggest they are confident of wrapping up a deal in January.
And former Aston Villa, Tottenham and Newcastle winger David Ginola - who also played for PSG - believes the Argentine international could push for a move in the New Year if he continued to be used sparingly in the French capital.
"Why not? Anyone talented can do well in the Premier League," Ginola told Express Sport when asked about the chances of Pastore moving to England.
"If he doesn’t play until Christmas he will probably ask for a move in the winter transfer window. I’m pretty sure about that."
"For Javier Pastore, if he stays too long and spends too much time on the bench that would be a problem for him and I’m sure his advisors will consider a move."