Chelsea FC Transfer Rumours: Alexandre Pato Inches Closer To Switch
![By Ronnie Macdonald (Pato & Emmanuel Eboue 1) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Ff3340f09ae7bffae328be29abd1adfc9e8ef65ad445e85aea2ef6c2f31bc4212.jpg "By Ronnie Macdonald (Pato & Emmanuel Eboue 1) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons")
Alexandre Pato is inching closer to a Stamford Bridge switch with reports claiming that he has contacted Chelsea FC players Willian and Marco Amelia.
Chelsea are in the market for a striker this January, with their deficiencies in the department well-documented. Alexandre Pato is one player that has been persistently linked with a Stamford Bridge switch since the window opened and it appears that the Brazilian is edging closer to a deal.
The Daily Mail claims that the forward has contacted Brazilian teammate Willian and ex-teammate Marco Amelia in order to discuss the pros and cons of a move to London, suggesting that an agreement is imminent.
"Alexandre Pato has contacted Chelsea midfielder Willian and third choice goalkeeper Marco Amelia as he weighs up a potential move to Stamford Bridge in January."
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The 26-year-old has had an eventful career that has failed to actually be that eventful so far. After bursting onto the scene as an exciting 18-year-old with AC Milan, he was seemingly destined for superstardom. Each transfer window saw him linked with a multitude of big clubs including many in the Premier League. However, a deal never materialised.
Injury problems then saw Pato’s stock fall and he returned to his homeland with Corinthians. He has since been loaned out to Sao Paolo.
Nonetheless, the 26-year-old is still highly regarded in some circles and evidently the Chelsea brass believe that there is quality left in the weather-beaten striker.
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Due to his reportedly mega wage demands, Corinthians are keen to get Pato off their books and it is believed that a £10 million deal will suffice. Given the overly-inflated prices that dominate modern football, such a fee for a player that is yet to hit his supposed prime appears like a bargain.
Interestingly, Guus Hiddink has stated that the Blues will not panic-buy, in comments that seemed to be an indirect dismissal of a Pato bid. Having said that, reports this morning claimed that a deal could be closed by the end of the week and this story, if founded, only reinforces that sentiment.
Chelsea have been hampered by both poor form and injury problems in their striking department thus far. Radamel Falcao has been sidelined for longer than anyone can remember while Loic Remy continues to struggle with various minor issues.
Diego Costa, meanwhile, has found his scoring boots but is still susceptible to a knock, as proven by the shin injury that may prevent him from facing Arsenal.
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Essentially, the Blues operate with at most one-and-a-half strikers at the best of times and thus a signing is indeed required. Is Pato the right man? Let us know by voting in the poll and sounding off in the comments below!