Brazil striker offered to Liverpool and Spurs on brink of completing £10m Chelsea move

ALEXANDRE PATO is on the brink of joining Chelsea - after being offered to Liverpool and Tottenham.

 

Chelsea are closing in on Corinthians striker Alexandre Pato

 

News News Blog Sport understands Chelsea have stepped up talks with Corinthians striker Pato and could complete a £10million deal for him this week.

The Brazil international, is a long-term target for the Blues after impressing at Italian giants AC Milan.

But the 26-year-old could now join Chelsea after returning to his homeland with Corinthians first then Sao Paolo on loan, amid fitness problems and criticism from fans over his attitude.

 

Pato himself is desperate to secure a move to the Premier League and has been offered to several clubs including Liverpool and Spurs.

But Chelsea have shown the most interest with boss Guus Hiddink currently dealing with a striker crisis.

First-choice frontman Diego Costa faces a battle to be fit for Chelsea's clash with Arsenal on Sunday (4pm) after bruising his shin in the 3-3 draw with Everton.

Costa's deputy Loic Remy is available but has spent most of the season on the bench and has been linked with a January exit.

 

 

Pato shone at AC Milan but has since returned to Brazil with Corinthians (and Sao Paolo on loan)

 

And third-choice Radamel Falcao is still sidelined with a long-term thigh problem, causing Chelsea to move for Pato.

A major factor in the pursuit of Pato this transfer window is that he is simply available and is not cup-tied for the Champions League, in which Chelsea face Paris Saint-Germain next month.

Hiddink wants three strikers to choose from and the signing of Pato could see young Patrick Bamford move to London rivals QPR on loan.