Alexandre Pato Transfer Rumours: Latest on Corinthians Star

Though he seems to have been around forever, former Milan star Alexandre Pato is still only 24 years old, with a long career ahead of him.

Currently with Corinthians back in his homeland, the forward is in the running for a spot in Luiz Felipe Scolari's Brazilian World Cup squad.

However, he will have to leapfrog several other strikers, such as Jo and Fred, if he is to make the cut.

Pato will be hoping for an outstanding next few months of personal form in order to give himself the best possible chance of playing in his home World Cup, and he might feel a move to a big European club will increase his prospects.

There is still a sense that the Brazilian's immense potential has not quite been fulfilled yet, and a transfer to the English Premier League—or another of Europe's top competitions—would enable him to prove his doubters wrong.

Watch this space as we follow the rumors surrounding Pato over the next week.

De Andrade Says Pato Transfer Is a Possibility

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Monday, December 16

The clubs interested in signing Pato can take heart from Corinthians' director of football Roberto de Andrade's latest comments, which indicate he would be prepared to let the player go for the right price.

As reported by Paulo Freitas on Sky Sports, de Andrade defended the sum his club paid for the striker, but kept the door ajar for a possible transfer in the January window.

He maintained, however, when speaking to the Brazilian media, that no club had yet expressed an interest in the Brazil international: 

"

When we bought Pato, it was because it was an opportunity, he is a great player.

He is a kid - still very young - we don't regret it. He will make the fans very happy.

We can negotiate about him, like any player. But in order to have a negotiation, there must be clubs interested in signing him and Pato so far has not asked to leave.

"

Arsenal Bid of £6.5 Million Rejected by Corinthians

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Tuesday, December 3

The 24-year-old's days at Corinthians might be numbered, but that does not mean the Brazilian club are willing to accept below what they consider to be market value for Pato.

Brazilian newspaper Lance! have reported that a £6.5 million bid from Arsenal has been rejected by Corinthians, as relayed by David Wright of The Daily Star. 

Wright writes:

"

Pato, nicknamed 'The Duck', has only netted ten times since arriving at the Timao, but will require a higher sum than £6.5m to tempt the Sao Paulo club to sell.

A number of uninspiring performances and a shocking penalty in a shootout against Gremio - which saw his side knocked out of the Copa do Brazil in October - has meant Pato has only started three of the club's last 11 league games.

"

Corinthians Fans Want Pato Gone

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Monday, December 2

According to Brazilian football expert @Zizouology, fans of the Brazilian club would be happy to see Pato leave in the next transfer window.

Here is what they rather aggressively chanted during Corinthians' game against Internacional, according to his Tweet on December 2:

"

By the way, Corinthians fans sang "Pato, c..., fora do Timão!" during 0-0 draw with Inter yesterday. Means "Pato c..., out of Corinthians" 

"

Inter Are Interested

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Tuesday, November 26

Pato made a name for himself in Europe with Milan, but there is a chance he could return to join their arch rivals, Internazionale.

Sambafoot reports that the Brazilian's agent, Gilmar Veloz, has hinted that a transfer to Inter would not be out of the question, if the club sought permission from Corinthians.

Such a move would no doubt annoy Pato's ex-girlfriend, Barbara Berlusconi, who is of course the daughter of former Milan boss, Silvio.

Arsenal and Tottenham Chasing the Brazilian

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Monday, November 25

According to Ben Jefferson of the Daily Express, London giants Arsenal and Tottenham will both be competing for Pato's services in the January transfer window.

A price tag of at least £10 million has been placed on the striker by current club Corinthians, but due to the terms of his contract, either club would most likely have to offer around £12.5 million to lure him to the Premier League.

Arsenal reportedly made a bid for the player while he was still a Milan player, and Tottenham are thought to have unsuccessfully tried to sign him in the last summer transfer window. 

Corinthians Director Hints at EPL Move

Club director Roberto de Andrade told Radio Bandeirantes, as reported by Jay Jaffa of Goal.com, that Corinthians would not stand in the way if an English club wished to recruit Pato in January.

De Andrade said:

"

Considering his value, I think it's hard that he moves to another Brazilian club.

If those two clubs [Arsenal and Tottenham] are interested in Pato, we don't rule out selling him in the winter transfer market.

"

The availability of the "Duck" at a reasonable price could spark further interest from teams in the Premier League—or across Europe.