Chelsea eye January move for Ligue 1 champion, potential Fabregas replacement

Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Argentina international star Javier Pastore, according to Tuttomercatoweb.

The Premier League side, who currently sit fourth in the English top-flight standings, one point behind joint-league leaders Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool after their 2-0 win away at Southampton on Sunday, have been linked with a January swoop for the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder.

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

The 27-year-old, who has 27 international caps for his country, has scored one goal and provided two assists in six appearances in all competitions for the defending Ligue 1 champions so far this season.

Pastore, who arrived at the Parc des Princes from Italian outfit Palermo back in 2011 following his reported €42m move, is not currently a key part of boss Unai Emery’s plans in the French capital due to the player’s injury problems.

However, the report suggests Blues manager Antonio Conte is ready to gamble on Pastore’s fitness problems, despite the midfielder currently being sidelined with a calf problem.

Pastore could even replace Cesc Fabregas at Stamford Bridge in the New Year, with the club said to be willing to allow him to leave on loan.