9 Jan 2016

Anfield-bound: Liverpool close to signing 'exceptional' €15m Brazilian. Talks held. Transfer 'agreement' sealed in Nov

In November, Italian newspaper Tutto Mercato claimed that Liverpool have an 'agreement in principle' in place to sign Brazilian striker Alexander Pato, and after allegedly holding 'advanced talks' with the ex-AC Milan star, the Reds are once again linked with a deal to bring Pato to Anfield.

According to Italian newspaper Tutto Mercato on Friday:

"Pato is ready to return to European football, and Liverpool are 'very close' to sealing a €15m deal for the Brazilian striker".

When asked recently about Premier League transfer speculation, the allegedly 'exceptional' Pato told Brazilian newspaper Globo Esporte:

"My future? I do not know yet, but I hope to return soon to Europe".

Corinthians Deputy director Eduardo Ferreira has already confirmed that Pato will be sold for the right price:

"If a club comes in with an offer of €25m [£17.5m], we will let him [Pato] go."

Unrealistic transfer fee aside, this deal makes no sense due to Pato's injury history:

* 14 injuries in the last 5 seasons.

* 356 days on the sidelines (71 games missed).

It's stating the blinding obvious (again) but: why sign another injury-prone played when Liverpool's squad is already saturated with injury-plagued players?

Plus, given Pato's injury history, will he even be able to physically handle the dual demands of the Premier League, and Klopp's intensive pressing game?

I can't see Klopp sanctioning this deal, but you never know. Pato was linked with a move to Dortmund during the January 2014 transfer window, so if Klopp tried to sign Pato once, there's a chance he could go back in for him again.

€15m is certainly more palatable than €25m, and with 50 goals/assists in 111 games (goal/assist every 144 minutes), Pato's record for Corinthians and Sao Paulo is creditable.

Pato certainly has a lot of faith in his own ability, and in September, he told TV Bandeirantes:

"My goal is to return to the national team. I do not see anyone better than me. I can play as a false nine, or as a right or left winger".

Worth a shot?

Author: Jaimie K


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