Despite a debut goal for Chelsea against Aston Villa last Saturday, Corinthians still fully expect to lose Alexandre Pato on a free transfer in July when his Chelsea loan ends. Chelsea have first refusal on the purchase of Pato, but having only made one substitute appearance during his loan spell, it is very unlikely that they will exercise the option.
Pato’s Corinthians contract expires in January 2017, which means he will be free to negotiate a free transfer with another club as from July. As part of his Chelsea loan deal, Chelsea are the only Premier League club that can buy him at that stage, but he would be free to negotiate elsewhere.
Pato is very unlikely to sign a new deal with Corinthians, the forward has a poor relationship with manager Tite and rejected a new contract upon signing for Chelsea, to help the Brazilian club extract a fee upon sale.
Incoming Blues’ boss Antonio Conte is unlikely to want to retain Pato and the player is entitled to a signing on fee if he signs with another club on a free transfer. Corinthians are resigned to losing Pato on a free transfer, with only the small relief of moving his salary from the books for the duration of is loan term in London.
