Palermo are pessimistic about their chances of signing Velez Sarsfield midfielder Ricardo Alvarez due to the interest of Arsenal and Malaga.
• 'Pastore worth more than Sanchez'
Alvarez, 23, is said to have attracted the interest of clubs including Inter Milan, Roma and Sevilla with Argentinean champions Velez demanding a fee of €12 million for his services.
Palermo may need to sign a replacement for Argentina playmaker Javier Pastore if any club is willing to meet his €50 million asking price, but club president Maurizio Zamparini believes Arsenal and Malaga may be better placed to secure his signature.
Zamparini told Corriere dello Sport: "We are very interested in Alvarez, but it will be difficult to bring him to Palermo considering that there are other clubs like Arsenal and Malaga interested in him."
