£44m and we Jav a deal

Posted Wednesday, June 15, 2011 by The Sun

HANDS UP WHO WANTS ME ... Javier Pastore could be on his way to England or Spain

CHELSEA were last night told they will not get Argentina ace Javier Pastore for less than £44million.

Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini insisted the Blues were locked in a three-horse race for the attacking midfielder with Real Madrid and Barcelona.

He said: "Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona are after Pastore.

"I told his agent to see what market there is for the player and he has probably spoken to some clubs.

"So at the end of the week we will meet to shed a bit of light on the future of the player."

The Palermo supremo claimed earlier this month that he had turned down a 'major offer' from Chelsea and insisted that Manchester City were also in the frame.

Pastore turns 22 next week and has eight caps.

He joined the Italian Serie A club two years ago for just £5million and forced his way into Argentina's World Cup squad last summer.

Manchester United have also been linked with a move for the star as a bidding war between some of Europe's big-hitters starts to hot up.

Meanwhile, Chelsea appeared to be losing out on long-standing target Neymar.

The Brazil sensation, 19, seemed on the verge of joining Real Madrid.

Powerful agent Ernesto Bronzetti, a close pal of Real president Florentino Perez, was quoted in Italy as saying it was a 'done deal' before he later retracted his statement.

It seems that the delay in appointing a new Blues boss to succeed the sacked Carlo Ancelotti may be damaging the club's chances to land their top targets this summer.