22 Jan 2016

Agent Confirms: Liverpool free to sign 'exceptional' €25m attacker. Transfer already agreed 'in principle'

Last week, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp appeared to rule out a January move for Corinthians striker Alexandre Pato, but the transfer rumours simply refuse to die, and the 'exceptional' Brazilian's agent has now confirmed that the Reds still have an opportunity to seal the deal.

In November, Corinthians chief Robero de Andrade, claimed that Liverpool have 'an agreement in principle' to sign Pato.

Since then, the Reds have been repeatedly linked with the striker, but when asked in early January about the alleged deal, Klopp appeared to rule out a move for the striker:

"I could say that we don't talk about these things in public, but you don’t need to follow the Pato path anymore. That’s just some private advice from me".

Pato's agent refuses to take no for an answer, though, and when asked on Thursday about transfer interest, he told UOL Sporte:

"Chelsea, Liverpool, Sporting and Benfica. All four have a chance. The guys are working on getting an offer, but Corinthians are yet to receive one".

Clearly, Pato's agent is making a last-ditch effort to get Liverpool, Chelsea et al interested in a January transfer and/or keep his client's name in the transfer conversation.

However, if Liverpool do a u-turn and go for Pato - who, according to Corinthians director Eduardo Ferreira, will cost €25m - it'll arguably be a panic buy.

The key point is this: Pato's injury record in Europe is extremely poor, which raises serious doubts over whether his body can withstand the dual-battering of Premier League physicality, and Klopp's intense pressing system.

Liverpool are currently linked with Shakhtar Donetsk attacker Alex Teixeira, but ex-Red Danny Murphy has a different option in mind:

“A more realistic alternative...is Jese Rodriguez at Real Madrid, who has grown tired of a lack of game time. Jese is young, quick and well worth a gamble in January given his current discontent.”

A viable alternative, or should Klopp reconsider Pato?

Author: Jaimie K


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