Blackburn have agreed terms with Argentine striker Mariano Pavone, who will sign a three-year deal with the Premier League club during the weekend, the player’s agent said today.
Pavone, 29, who has played once for Argentina, will join Rovers on a free transfer after buying out the last year of his contract with Spanish side Real Betis.
Mariano Pavone
He spent last season on loan at River Plate, scoring eight goals in 18 appearances for the Argentine club including one in the second leg of their relegation playoff against Belgrano, which ended in a 1-1 draw after Pavone also missed a penalty.
River lost 3-1 on aggregate and went down to the second division for the first time in their 110-year history.
His British representative Barry McIntosh told Sky Sports: “Mariano is delighted to get his chance in English football, he has spoken to several clubs but he was particularly impressed by (Rovers manager) Steve Kean.
“Steve made him feel very welcome and explained his plans, and Mariano was delighted with what he heard.”
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BLACKBURN Rovers are running out of time to finalise the signing of Argentine striker Pavone, with several Premier League rivals now also chasing his signature.
The former Real Betis wants to move to Ewood Park but, as the deal continues to stall, he is becoming increasingly resigned to looking for a future elsewhere.
Monaco defender Cedric Mongongu’s Rovers switch has also stalled due to a technical issue, with both parties working hard to sort it out.
Reports from Romania are linking Rovers with interest in Stuttgart striker Ciprian Marca, although the club are keeping tight-lipped on individual targets.
Steve Kean flew to India yesterday to meet his bosses for a routine meeting to discuss transfers and other plans for the club.
Blackburn boss Steve Kean is reeling from a new transfer blow after the club’s owners blocked a deal for Argentinian striker Mariano Pavone.
Kean has had to call off the move for the free agent, who has been at Rovers for the past week to discuss terms and even brought his family over to start looking for a house.
However, Rovers’ owners Venky’s – who are fuming about financial restrictions put on them by the club’s bank – pulled the plug.
As Pavone tries to find a new club, the shock turn-around brings Blackburn’s growing problems into focus.
Pavone had gone through a medical and was ready to fly off with the squad for their pre-season tour of India and is said to be ‘stunned’ by developments.
The decision also puts Kean on the spot.
He had been looking to buy big and improve his squad before the Pune-based chicken farmers slashed the budget.
Rovers may have to sell again to generate funds for new faces – although Kean is desperate not to lose skipper and centre-half Chris Samba.
Instead, the club will try to find a buyer for Croatian striker Nikola Kalinic.
With Ukrainian side Dnipro prepared to pay £4million, Kalinic wants to skip the trip to India in the hope of sealing a move.
Blackburn have completed the signing of Argentinian striker Hugo Mariano Pavone who will be unveiled on Monday.
Rovers boss Steve Kean has completed the shock free transfer capture after the 29-year-old flew in for a medical.
He has signed a three year contract at Ewood Park after completing a free transfer.
Former Estudiantes ace Pavone previously played for the full Argentina national team and has been top goalscorer and player of the year in his domestic league.
He joins from Spanish outfit Real Betis after a loan last season at River Plate, who were relegated last season when he fluffed a spot-kick that sparked a riot.
But Pavone is still a major coup for Kean, who was very keen to sign sign the striker.
Pavone holds an EU passport so does not need a work permit and will be available for Blackburn in their forthcoming Hong Kong tournament against Aston Villa and Chelsea.