It was reported in the Guardian that Chelsea opted to pass on Javier Pastore due to possible legal implications.
The Argentina star’s agent, Marcelo Simonian, is thought to have visited London for talks about the transfer to Stamford Bridge on 29 July following Palermo announcing that it was a “very likely” option.
But then everything changed, the fans were shocked when he moved to Paris Saint-Germain for €43m, but a case that is currently in Sicilian courts put Chelsea off a move.
The Guardian reported: “In the case Palermo will claim that, when Pastore was still with Argentina’s Atlético Huracán, they ceded a portion of his economic rights to Simonian’s Dodici Sports Management.”
This was followed by commenting that Palermo are set to say there was an agreement that Dodici would get a percentage of any future transfer fee – But the figure is not clear.
The lastest situation is that Palmero have made a complaint to the Sicilian courts alleging Simonian is “extorting” the money from the club. Not only that, but they are also stating that Simonian told Pastore not to move unless Palermo agreed to pay over 50% of his fee. Naturally, Simonian denies the charge and claims he owned all of Pastore’s “economic rights” until he left the club, thus he is due half the fee.
It is thought that Palermo do not want to pay anymore than £10.8m, it does sound very messy and Chelsea must be pleased to keep their name out of it.
By Scott Balaam
Twitter @theshed11