Barcelona Transfer News: Alexandre Pato Offer Revealed, Latest Rumours

Alexandre Pato has reportedly been offered to Barcelona as a potential January signing as Brazilian club Corinthians attempt to get the 26-year-old off their books.

Pato is currently on loan at Sao Paulo. Although he has been performing well, his parent club cannot afford to keep him past the new year, per Barney Ronay in the Guardian.

According to J.M. Bertran of Spanish outlet Sport, the former AC Milan star has been offered to Barca and has admitted that he will leave Brazil in 2016:

"

It's very difficult for me to stay in Brazil. It seems the president of Sao Paulo said I will not continue. I'm just trying to help them qualify for the Copa Libertadores. 

I don't know what will happen now. I only want to leave the club with my head held high, having completed the work they wanted of me. I only think about the five remaining games until the end of the year.

"

Pato has been impressive in his time at Sao Paulo, netting 10 league goals and providing four assists so far this season, per WhoScored.

The Brazil international looks to be regaining some of the form that earned him a glowing reputation as a youngster at Milan before his career progression was curtailed by injury.

A move to Barca would allow him the chance to perform on the European stage once more, and he could be a fine addition at the Camp Nou given their lack of attacking depth—which has recently been exposed after injuries to key players, per Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe:

However, it would be a big risk for the Blaugrana as Pato would need to make a big step up in quality to make an impact in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.

Equally, his historic troubles with fitness issues are unlikely to instil confidence at Barcelona that he could be consistently available. 

A more reliable purchase for Barcelona would be Celta Vigo's Nolito, who has been widely linked with a move to the Camp Nou. But the current financial situation at the Catalan club could rule him out as a target, per Sport's Lluis Miguelsanz.

Pato would undoubtedly be a much cheaper option given that Corinthians are desperate to move him on to another club and remove him from their wage bill, per ESPN Brazil (via ESPN FC).

His versatility makes him an attractive proposition as he could provide cover across the front three, but it would undoubtedly be a huge gamble on Barca's part if they decided to sign Pato in January.