Javier Pastore's Palermo proclivity will be banished to the margins of a €70 million transfer bidding war between Real Madrid and Barcelona at the end of term.
"Until the end of season he will play for Palermo. Despite my interest for the club and player, I am already looking for his replacement," president Maurizio Zamparini told Tuttosport.
Zamparini confirmed Pastore would be leaving in the summer and said he will move abroad.
"It will be impossible to find a replacement because he is too good," he added.
"Also, I feel it will be difficult for an Italian club to buy him. His price is already high at €70m, he will move abroad."
His elaborate price tag has excluded Inter and Juventus, to leave a shortlist of two clubs - Madrid and Barcelona, who are both interested in him.
Betting on the transfer is a huge gamble for Zamparini, but one which is guaranteed to pay dividends - 10 times more than what the Rosanero paid for him last year.