Pato turns down Lazio move for ‘personal reasons’

Alexandre Pato turned down the chance to join Serie A giants Lazio from Corinthians, according to the Rome club. Pato finished a loan spell with Chelsea on June 30th and has since reported back to training with Corinthians, with club and player keen to sanction his sale. The player has made no secret of his […]
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sambafoot_admin
2016-07-11 18:22:00

Alexandre Pato turned down the chance to join Serie A giants Lazio from Corinthians, according to the Rome club. Pato finished a loan spell with Chelsea on June 30th and has since reported back to training with Corinthians, with club and player keen to sanction his sale.

The player has made no secret of his desire to return to Europe. The opportunity arose more quickly than expected when newly appointed Lazio boss Marcelo Bielsa identified Pato as his first transfer target. The deal seemed to collapse when the eccentric Argentine coach resigned just 48 hours after taking his post at Lazio.

However, Lazio claim that Pato spurned their advances prior to Bielsa’s resignation. Lazio director Igli Tiare claims, "He (Marcelo Bielsa) asked me about Pato. I said he was a quality player, but had doubts.

"He asked me to do everything to get him to Rome. I talked to his agent to formulate a proposal. Bielsa knew the standard salary of Lazio, the one offered to Pato was equal to [Miroslav] Klose’s contract. Pato said he would talk to his family before answering. The next day, the player said he wanted to stay at Corinthians until 30 December and for personal reasons did not want to leave Brazil."

Pato’s Corinthians contract expires on December 30th, at which point he can leave on a free transfer. Timão boss Cristavão Borges says he is open to playing Pato for Corinthians, but that the player is not yet fit enough.

"He arrived, is training began now has a training program. I believe the São Paulo game this weekend will be too soon. W do not have time, but we do not hurry, we want a prepared player. You have to be prepared to play well and be protected from injury."

Cristavão suggests that Pato’s versatility gives him options, "He can play as a number 9 or at the side, he is a versatile player that can play in any position in attack, he can be on the right as well. It is important that he is ready to contribute and help."

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by
sambafoot_admin
July 11, 2016