Maurizio Zamparini says Javier Pastore’s struggles at Paris Saint-Germain are down to his inability to play alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Argentine midfielder has failed to reproduce the form which led to PSG splashing out a reported 40 million euros to buy him from Palermo in August 2011.
Palermo president Zamparini said Pastore was finding it difficult in Paris due to his struggles trying to play with Swedish superstar Ibrahimovic.
“Why is he having trouble? Playing with Ibrahimovic is not easy,” he told Corriere dello Sport.
His lack of form has prompted speculation the 23-year-old could make a swift return to Serie A, where he enjoyed two fruitful seasons.
Zamparini said Inter Milan were keen on securing his signature prior to his move to France.
“(Inter president Massimo) Moratti was interested in Pastore before I sold him to Paris Saint-Germain and (Marco) Branca had spoken with my sporting director,” he said.
“Then came the offer from Leonardo and Inter could not compete with those numbers.”
A move back to Italy would appear premature for the time being, but that has not stopped the 71-year-old from dreaming of bringing Pastore back to the Stadio Renzo Barbera.
“If Pastore was to return to Italy I would be delighted,” Zamparini said.
“Javier still loves Palermo and the Saturday after our victory in the derby against Catania he congratulated many of his former team-mates.”
