Javier Pastore has played down reports that he’s leaving Paris Saint-Germain in January. But since he’s now in the final 18 months of his contract, should Arsenal make a move?

The media have linked the 28-year-old with Liverpool in recent weeks, and one report claimed he’d already said his goodbyes at PSG. However, Pastore denied the rumours, telling Mundo Deportivo: “It’s a lie to say that I have said goodbye to my team-mates.

“In recent games, I’ve played a lot and I’m happy. I still have a year-and-a-half left on my contract, and I’m very calm. I was looking for more playing time, it’s true. The coach makes the decisions and I have to make sure to keep improving to get some PSG playing time.”

Pastore has played in the last nine league matches for PSG, although he’s only completed 90 minutes twice. Nonetheless, the Argentinian is certainly playing more often than he was in September and October. There’s no guarantee that will continue to be the case, however, especially if Julian Draxler and Angel Di Maria stick around.

Arsenal could lose Mesut Özil and Alexis Sanchez before long, either in January or in the summer, unless the pair sign new deals, so the Gunners could look to bring in an attacking midfielder as a replacement.

Pastore wouldn’t be the worst option. The Independent reported that Wenger almost moved for the player in 2013. The Arsenal manager signed Özil instead.

The former Palermo man completes one dribble every 35 minutes, on average, in the last 18 months of league action. He’s also scoring or assisting every 150 minutes this season. Those stats are decent for a player not commanding a starting place in the side.

Arsenal might fancy having a look if the price is right.