Javier Pastore has refuted Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva's claims that the Argentine wants to leave the club, and reiterated his desire to be the last Oryx Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) signing "to leave" the Parc des Princes.
Speaking in the mixed zone after Wednesday's 2-0 Coupe de la Ligue quarterfinal win away at Amiens, Silva said the PSG players stood behind Pastore and Edinson Cavani as they were left out of the squad since they returned late from the winter break in South America.
Silva then said he thought Pastore's situation is linked with his desire to leave the French capital outfit this month ahead of the World Cup this summer and amid interest from Inter Milan.
However, in response to Silva's comments, Pastore has denied he wants a transfer and told Yahoo! Sport France that he and Silva have not spoken about the reasons behind his late return.
"I have never spoken with Thiago about my problem, nor my future," the Argentina international said. "I have never put pressure on anybody -- it is not my style.
"He did not know about my problem, which made me late [to return]."
The article explains that Pastore was late in returning to Paris because his pregnant wife had a problem shortly before they were due to return to Europe and she was advised to avoid flying for a few days.
The 28-year-old is said to have decided to stay with his wife until she was well enough to travel, so that she would not have to do the journey alone, but only informed PSG upon his return that this was why he was late in returning.
Coach Unai Emery certainly seemed to be in the dark last week when he was asked about the issue before the Coupe de France clash away at Rennes, but by the time his players had won 6-1 and were preparing for the trip to Amiens, the Spaniard had a better handle on the situation and had spoken with Pastore and Cavani.
Pastore also reaffirmed his desire to be the last QSI acquisition to leave PSG, and declared his desire to spend the rest of his career with Les Parisiens -- a notable turn of stance from somebody who before the winter break was unsure on his future but certain that he wanted regular first-team football.
"I repeat, my dream has always been to be the last [QSI signing] to leave," said the former Palermo man. "I have always been loyal.
"It is not true that I want to leave! I would like to finish my career here."
PSG are away at Nantes in Ligue 1 on Sunday and then at home to Dijon, also in Le Championnat, next Wednesday.
However, it is uncertain that Pastore and/or Cavani will feature against Claudio Ranieri's side at Stade de la Beaujoire this weekend.