Chelsea Transfer News: Alexandre Pato Exit Reported, Latest Blues Rumours

Alexandre Pato is reportedly set to be returned to Brazil early by Chelsea despite not having played a single minute for the Blues since they took him on a six-month loan deal from Corinthians in January.

The 26-year-old lacked fitness upon arrival in west London, and though he has now "improved his physical condition," the Blues have reportedly decided to send him back to Brazil as they have no use for him, per Brazilian outlet Lance! (via Jack Ling in the Sun).

Pato was brought in at Chelsea to bolster their weak strike department but has not yet been given any game-time by interim manager Guus Hiddink.

No. 1 forward Diego Costa now faces a potential three-match ban after his recent red card against Everton, per James Riach in the Guardian. And it was expected that Pato may finally turn out in a Blues shirt, per ESPN FC's Liam Twomey:

The other alternatives to the Spain international are hardly more inspiring, a wildly-out-of-form Radamel Falcao and unfavoured Loic Remy having only made two Premier League starts between them this season—scoring a goal apiece in the English top flight—per WhoScored.com.

However, Pato is reportedly set to return home, and it will be a damning indictment of Chelsea's opinion of the former AC Milan man if they send him back to Corinthians without even giving him a chance in the side.

It will also reflect terribly on Chelsea's oft-criticised transfer strategy, which has extended beyond the sacking of Jose Mourinho back in December, per the Associated Press' Rob Harris:

What is in little doubt is that the signing of Pato has done nothing to bolster Chelsea's attacking ranks as was intended.

And it could get even worse in the summer with Falcao and Remy both likely to leave the club, and Costa reportedly keen for a return to Atletico Madrid, per Tony Banks in the Express.

With the Blues set to be without Champions League football next season, they may struggle to attract the calibre of replacement they need to return to Premier League title contention.

A key factor could be who they employ to succeed Hiddink in the summer as the club's next permanent boss.

Italy boss Antonio Conte is seen as the clear front-runner, and Bleacher Report's Dean Jones believes he has the profile to attract top-quality players even without the offer of Champions League football:

Certainly he will be able to attract better players than Pato who, despite a stunning start to his career with Milan, has not shown anything close to world-class form for some time yet.

If it's true that Chelsea have decided he is of no use to them and are going to send him back to Brazil early, it now seems as though Pato may never again be the player that made him such an exciting prospect at the San Siro.