There are widespread reports that Liverpool have struck an agreement to sign Brazilian 26-year-old forward Alexandre Pato, emanating from Corinthians president Robero de Andrade.
Corinthians own Pato, who has been shining on loan at Sao Paulo since the start of 2014. In that time, he’s registered 38 goals in 95 appearances.
“There is an agreement in principle with Liverpool for the transfer in the coming weeks,” De Andrade explained to Tutto Mercato Web, cited here in the Daily Mail.
“Pato had long expressed a desire to return to Europe.
“‘Liverpool await, there are a few missing details, but Klopp will have a new reinforcement and for Pato the Premier League will be a new springboard.”
However, the same man – rather confusingly – later claimed, “Corinthians have received nothing. Nothing concrete has arrived,” via reputable Brazilian source Globoesporte – who broke the Roberto Firmino to Liverpool news in the summer.
It seems clear that while discussions have taken place, we’ve not submitted a cash offer for the attacker who’s scored ten goals in 27 caps for his country.
Pato won the Golden Boy award in 2009 and was widely tipped to develop into one of the world’s greatest players. However, injury and poor form began to plague him at AC Milan, who had originally brought him to Europe, and in 2013 he returned to his homeland with Corinthians.
His talent is enormous, but there have previously been questions regarding his attitude. At 26 though, this would likely be his last chance to prove himself in one 0f Europe’s big leagues – should a transfer eventually finalise.
Pato’s rapid and skilful, and can play either a a centre-forward or an inverted one in a wide starting position (like Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo). He’d join countrymen Coutinho, Firmino and Lucas at Anfield, which could perhaps sway his decision to sign.
So, Reds – what do you reckon? Is the potential Pato signing a good one?