According to Brazilian reporter Jorge Nicola, Corinthians have accepted a bid from Chinese second division club Tianjin Songjiang for striker Alexandre Pato. Pato has one year left on his deal with Timão and the São Paulo club have desperately tried to auction him to a club outside of Brazil before his contract expires.
Pato spent two years on loan with city rivals São Paulo following a miserable year with Corinthians in 2013, but the club have struggled to offload the forward. They have registered him as a Timão player for the season ahead as they have struggled to drum up interest in Europe, despite hiring super agent Kia Joorabchian to try and stir up interest in the forward, whose career has stalled since his halcyon AC Milan days.
Chinese clubs flush with cash have been raiding Brasileirão for the last 2-3 years, with the likes of Ricardo Goulart, Diego Tardelli, Elkeson, Paulinho and Dario Conca already plying their trade in the Chinese Superleague, along with coaches such as Cuca, Mario Manezes and Luiz Felipe Scolari. Tianjin Songjiang have already concluded a deal for Timão’s attacking midfielder Jádson, whilst Seleção midfielder Elias is also mulling over an offer from Hebei Zhongji.
Nicola reports that Tianjin Songjiang have arrived in São Paulo for a pre season training camp and have had an offer for Pato accepted, which they hope to tie up during January. Pato could be expected to as much as quadruple his current salary if he makes the move. Tianjin are managed by Vanderlei Luxembourgo and also count Pato’s ex teammate Luis Fabiano in their ranks.
Pato and his agents have insisted that they are only interested to a move to Europe, preferably to a club that competes in the Champions League. However, after 18 months of concerted effort, Pato’s people and Corinthians between them have failed to create any interest from Europe and with the salary on offer in China, the player may be tempted. Especially having already fallen foul of Corinthians boss Tite during his first year at the club.
