Reports are circulating that Liverpool have agreed a deal in principle with Corinthians for the signing of Alexandre Pato in January. Timão director Roberto de Andrade confirmed this week that Corinthians would again try to sell Pato to a European club during the January transfer window http://www.sambafoot.com/en/news/77509_corinthians_president_roberto_de_andrade_confident_of_selling_alexandre_pato_in_january.html. Corinthians have tried to move Pato on in vain for close to two years, during which time the Brazilian forward has been on loan at city rivals São Paulo.
Pato has been linked with Everton, Spurs, Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund recently, but Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla is reporting that Liverpool have reached an agreement ‘in principle’ to sign Pato in January. Pedulla suggests that the English club will pay 20 million Euros for Pato’s signature, with 60% of that fee going to Corinthians and 40% to Pato and his advisors, as he is subject to a third party agreement.
Pato would join up with compatriots Roberto Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Lucas Leiva were he to join. However, many reports of this ilk have circulated about Pato over the last two years, with Corinthians making their intentions to sell very public very regularly. It remains to be seen whether this is another method of creating a feeling of competition for his signature to spark interest. Pato has been moved to the left side of São Paulo’s attack this season and his performances have improved, even if a nagging inconsistency remains and frustrates. São Paulo confirmed last month that they could not afford to keep him beyond the end of his loan spell in December.