Thursday, 19th December, 2013
Roma have an ace in the hand when it comes to tempting Javier Pastore to snub his other suitors and move to the Italian capital.
Pastore has been linked with a number of clubs due to his less than smooth season at Paris Saint-Germain, with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Napoli all believed to be firm fans.
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However, it is Liverpool and Roma who have been most regularly linked with the Argentine playmaker.
But Roma have a special kind of advantage, with Pastore freely conceding his enjoys a special relationship with the club's director of football Walter Sabatini.
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Sabatini served as director of football at Palermo, the club Pastore turned out at between 2009 and 2011, and negotiated the deal which took the midfielder to Italy; and the Italian deal-maker clearly made an impression.
"With him, I have a special rapport, yes", Pastore admitted to Le 10 Sport.
"Recently he told me 'you need your hair cutting' and I listed to him.
"Whether I play well or I play badly, he can call me when he wants to and we'll discuss it.
"He's told me when he has seen good things, less good things, I listen a lot and I always thank him for what he has done for me."
Pastore has been tipped to be the subject of bids in the upcoming transfer window, but the player has been clear that he is hoping to be able to fight for his spot at PSG.
He said: "It is not the right time to leave a great team like Paris.
"I have often said, I was the first to come to this team, I hope I will be the last player to leave."
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