Reports: Manchester United and Chelsea in for Alexandre Pato
Former AC Milan forward Alexandre Pato is currently being targetted by Premier League giants Manchester United and Chelsea, according to the Telegraph. The 25-year-old striker is currently part of the Brazilian team Corinthians and has been out on a loan spell to Sao Paulo for the past two years. Corinthians want £11 million for the player.
Of the two teams, United are more likely to sign the player as they are lacking in attacking options. With Robin van Persie and Nani sold to Fenerbache and having missed out on Pedro they will be looking at all their possible options.
United have also been linked to Brazil’s captain Neymar, although the player says he has no intentions of leaving Barcelona in the near future. Another player linked with the Reds is Southampton’s Saido Mane.
Chelsea though realistically do not require Pato as they already have their star striker Diego Costa with Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao as their back-ups.
But both sides will be taking a risk on the player as he has not been in the best of forms recently, and has a history of being injury prone
Pato was plagued by injuries during his time in Milan
Pato was one of the most sought after youngsters in football when he joined AC Milan back in 2007, but due to injuries, his career was put on a standstill.
During his time at the San Siro he won one Seria A title, a Supercoppa Italiana, a UEFA Super Cup, and one FIFA Club World Cup winners medal. In the same season, he scored 14 goals in 25 league appearances for the Rossoneri, which was one less than his best.
Pato was close to moving to Paris-Saint Germain in 2012 to join his then teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but due to his commitment with Milan he decided against it and stayed at the club. In 2013 though the player moved back to Brazil to play for Corinthians. after two seasons at the club he was loaned out to Sao Paulo for the next two seasons where he scored 30 goals for them in all competitions.
Pato has also been linked to Sunderland and Stoke, but it is unlikely that the player will join either of those teams. It is not certain which club Pato will join before the end of the summer transfer season, but it seems like he will be part of a Premier League club before deadline day.