Soccer Transfer: Alexandre Pato to Join Arsenal in January
Liverpool have reached an agreement with Brazilian club Corinthians to bring back talented striker Alexandre Pato back in Europe, per The Evening Standard. Corinthians president Roberto de Andrade has confirmed the deal, but there are still some details that need to be addressed before the transfer becomes official in January.
"There is an agreement in principle with Liverpool for the transfer in the coming weeks. 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," de Andrade said to Tutto Mercato Web via The Evening Standard.
However, de Andrade told SporTV that there are no negotiations between his club and Liverpool for the 26-year-old striker. "Corinthians have received nothing. Nothing concrete has arrived," he said, per ESPN.
The player has said in a previous interview with Radio Globo that he plans to play again in Europe after his loan deal with Sao Paulo ends. "Next year I won't be playing at Sao Paulo. Everybody knows that. I hope England or Spain. I do not know if I can stay with Corinthians. I just try to do as well as possible. In football, nothing is certain, so it's no problem to return to Corinthians. I am a professional," Pato said as quoted by Soccerlens.
The former Brazilian wonderkid played for Italian side AC Milan as a 17-year-old prospect and was even compared to Brazilian legends Kaka, Romario and Ronaldo. In Milan, he showcased his excellent technical ability and eye for goal as he scored 18 goals in his second season with the Rossoneri, per Sports Keeda.
The report added that he won the 2009 Best Series A Young Footballer of the Year, but his progress was delayed by various hamstring injuries. He injured his hamstring again the next season that consistently hampered his fitness and development.
It is also noted that Pato received an offer to play for PSG but snubbed the French club to remain in Milan, where he injured his thigh a few days later and was out for the season. He was eventually sold to Corinthians in January 2013 for €15 million and was subsequently loaned to Sao Paulo FC.
Pato had a total of 150 appearances for Milan from 2007 to 2013, scoring 63 goals in all competitions, per Soccerway. He has been capped by the Brazil National Team 25 times and scored 10 goals.
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