Reports in Brazil suggest former AC Milan wonderkid Alexandre Pato is inching closer to realising his dream of playing in the English Premier League, with a verbal agreement reached with Chelsea FC.
The 26-year-old has been heavily linked with the Stamford Bridge outfit this transfer window, given that Chelsea FC have been looking for a striker due to the injury issues faced by summer loan signing Radamel Falcao. The Brazilian himself has not been shy about expressing his desire to play in the English Premier League, claiming it has been a dream to try his luck in the most popular league in the world.
According to a report by ESPN Brazil journalist Mauro Cezar, Pato reached a verbal agreement with the Blues on Tuesday night, and the only thing remaining for the move to be completed is his signature on the contract. The contract is rumoured to be worth £1.77m a year (via ESPN UK), with the 26-year-old expected to complete his transfer from Corinthians in the coming days.
Unsurprisingly, Chelsea FC supporters on Twitter have caught wind of this development, and several of them have voiced their strong opinions on the social media site regarding the potential transfer. Here are some of the best ones:
No blog: Acordo (verbal) fechado, só falta Pato assinar o contrato com o Chelsea https://t.co/gdx292zzy3 – post agora com mais detalhes
— Mauro Cezar (@MauroCezarESPN) January 20, 2016
Pato hasn’t played a game since 28th November. If he comes he will need fitness… So fit for March? — CarefreeYouth (@CarefreeYouth) January 20, 2016
So we’re signing Pato. Another striker we’re going to sign who’s past his best form. How do we manage to do this every single time.
— Soham Kulkarni (@iamskulkarni) January 20, 2016
Pato is a brilliant signing for Chelsea.. — Avirup (@CentralWinger_) January 20, 2016
Biggest Pato myth right now? “He is injury prone.” He played in 61/69 games for Sao Paulo.
— Thibauted (@Thibauted) January 20, 2016
Chelsea with Pato, Pedro & Falcao would have been brilliant in 2012! — 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) January 20, 2016
If Pato scores as many goals for Chelsea as the number of times he’s signed for them in the last week, they’ll make top 4 no trouble
— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) January 20, 2016
Worth pointing out Pato would still be in a pre-season phase, so may take a little while to be ready. Brazil season has different calendar. — Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) January 20, 2016
Is Alexandre Pato any better than Loic Remy? #CFC
— Alex Batt (@AlexBatt) January 20, 2016
If we did sign Pato, that’s a great signing actually. I like Pato — Bushido (@_6_Legend) January 20, 2016
Chelsea closing in on Pato. I wish Utd made an attempt to sign him. Quality player, just a bit injury prone. I m sure he wil work out in PL.
— Ashish Jha (@DareToZlaataan) January 20, 2016
Literally so many better strikers out there than Pato and Lavezzi. Our club has lost it. — Mikelele (@_Sandsy_) January 20, 2016
From witsel and texeira to pato and lavezzi. Joke of a club
— Shamzy (@ShamzyCFC) January 20, 2016
We’ve been linked to Lavezzi and Pato this transfer window. We’re turning into Liverpool.
— Deif (@Athpilicueta) January 20, 2016
Seriously we going for Pato and expect to bounce back? What’s wrong with us mahn! — Erico Chelsea Fc ™ (@EricoDrogba) January 20, 2016