Chelsea Transfer News: Alexandre Pato Move Urged by Corinthians, Top Rumours

Corinthians are reportedly trying to convince Chelsea to take striker Alexandre Pato off their hands, with the Brazilian said to have no future at the club.

According to Darren Lewis of the Daily Mirror, Corinthians are “trying to persuade Chelsea that Pato is the answer to their striker problems” and have made it clear he’s not wanted by them after leaving him out of the group that travelled to the United States for pre-season training.

Lewis claimed the Blues are considering the possibility of giving Pato a “lifeline,” but any deal for the time being is likely to be a temporary one.

As noted in the piece, Diego Costa is the only fit striker available to manager Guus Hiddink at the moment, with Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao both injured.

Pato could be a solution for the Blues, having rediscovered some form on loan at Sao Paolo last season. Here’s a recap of some of his best moments:

According to David Kent of the MailOnline, Manchester United also have an interest in the striker. Kent suggests that, like Chelsea, the Red Devils are concerned by their lack of firepower as we move towards the business end of the season.

Pato would definitely be a gamble for either team. While the talent and technical flair he possesses is beyond doubt, the 26-year-old toiled during his previous stint in European football, at Milan.

FRANCK FIFE/Getty Images

We were treated to glimpses of Pato at his best at the San Siro, but he was riddled with injury issues and had a subsequent loss of form before returning to his homeland. As noted by the Selecao Brasileira account, the injury problems look to have gone:

"

Everyone asking me same question so I'll reply in this tweet once and for all: In 3 years in Brazil Pato has not suffered 1 serious injury.

— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats) January 14, 2016"

His stint with Sao Paolo was a reminder of what this forward can offer at his very best, and for Chelsea, he’d potentially be a useful option at the point of the attack. Indeed, Costa has been hit and miss so far this season and could do with a player to provide competition or play alongside at Stamford Bridge.

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Hiddink will be aware he can’t go through the rest of the campaign with just one functioning forward if Chelsea are to move up the Premier League table.

The Blues have also been linked with a move for Milan’s Carlos Bacca, but again, the Red Devils are also interested in the player, according to Don Balon (h/t Luke Gardener of the Daily Star).

However, as we can see here courtesy of MisterChip, given how important he is to Milan, it’d be a surprise to see the Serie A side let him go anywhere:

Pato comes with a degree of risk, but it’s something a club in Chelsea’s predicament, languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League table, have to accept. The striker could feasibly come in to English football and thrive alongside better players, but the physicality could also prove too much for him to handle.

A loan move for Chelsea would surely be the best course of action. That way, not only can Corinthians get his wages off their books, but the Blues can have a look at the player closely before determining whether to take up an option to buy him permanently. For Pato, it’d be a brilliant opportunity to prove he can cut it in an elite European league.