On Friday, Italian newspaper Tutto Mercato claimed that Liverpool are 'very close' to sealing a deal for Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato, and new reports today suggest that the deal is done.
According to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla (who presents Italian football show SportItalia):
* Liverpool have reached an agreement to sign Pato.
* The allegedly 'exceptional' striker has rejected a lucrative offer from China (allegedly €13m per season for three years) for the chance to play for the Reds. Liverpool will pay €15m 'plus bonuses' for Pato.
ITV Sport further claims:
"[Pato's] compatriots Firmino and Philippe Coutinho [played] a key role in the 26 year-old's decision".
Earlier today, 26-year old Pato posted a simple message on his Instagram account:
"Believe in dreams".
This could mean anything, but according to the thousands of Liverpool fans who've replied to the message, it means that Pato is definitely coming to Anfield.
Pato's record at Sao Paulo and Corinthians:
* 35 goals/15 assists (50) in 111 games (Goal every 205 mins/Goal/assist every 144 mins)
This is hardly inspiring, and the Brazilian league is not the same standard as the Premier League and/or European football. If Pato can't score prolifically in Brazil (where football is far less physical), then what chance does he have in the Prem?
Additionally, Pato's injury history makes for grim reading:
* 14 injuries in the last 5 seasons (356 days on the sidelines/71 games missed).
Granted, bar one minor issue, Pato has remained injury free in Brazil; however, all his other injuries arose whilst playing in Europe, and the majority of these were muscle injuries. Given the intense physicality required under Jurgen Klopp - and the ludicrous number of muscle problems - this doesn't seem like a good fit.
I'm calling it now: Pato will hit the ground running for Liverpool, and he'll contribute 2-3 goals/assists in his first 4-5 games, and then...he'll get injured, which will kickstart another long period of regular niggling issues.
Author: Jaimie K
According to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla (who presents Italian football show SportItalia):
* Liverpool have reached an agreement to sign Pato.
* The allegedly 'exceptional' striker has rejected a lucrative offer from China (allegedly €13m per season for three years) for the chance to play for the Reds. Liverpool will pay €15m 'plus bonuses' for Pato.
ITV Sport further claims:
"[Pato's] compatriots Firmino and Philippe Coutinho [played] a key role in the 26 year-old's decision".
Earlier today, 26-year old Pato posted a simple message on his Instagram account:
"Believe in dreams".
This could mean anything, but according to the thousands of Liverpool fans who've replied to the message, it means that Pato is definitely coming to Anfield.
Pato's record at Sao Paulo and Corinthians:
* 35 goals/15 assists (50) in 111 games (Goal every 205 mins/Goal/assist every 144 mins)
This is hardly inspiring, and the Brazilian league is not the same standard as the Premier League and/or European football. If Pato can't score prolifically in Brazil (where football is far less physical), then what chance does he have in the Prem?
Additionally, Pato's injury history makes for grim reading:
* 14 injuries in the last 5 seasons (356 days on the sidelines/71 games missed).
Granted, bar one minor issue, Pato has remained injury free in Brazil; however, all his other injuries arose whilst playing in Europe, and the majority of these were muscle injuries. Given the intense physicality required under Jurgen Klopp - and the ludicrous number of muscle problems - this doesn't seem like a good fit.
I'm calling it now: Pato will hit the ground running for Liverpool, and he'll contribute 2-3 goals/assists in his first 4-5 games, and then...he'll get injured, which will kickstart another long period of regular niggling issues.
Author: Jaimie K
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