Expert delivers transfer update on reported Chelsea target
Phil Vickery runs rule over Chelsea and Liverpool target Alexandre Pato
Corinthians are desperate to offload Chelsea target Alexandre Pato, according to South American expert Phil Vickery.
The defending Premier League champions are the latest England club to be linked with a move for the Brazil international in the January transfer window.
Pato was reportedly a target for Liverpool last month as Jurgen Klopp looks to add more firepower to his struggling Reds side.
The 26-year-old has netted 19 times in 59 games for Corinthians, but the Brazilian club are thought to be eager to get the striker off their books.
Speaking to Irish podcast Second Captains, BBC Sport’s South American journalist Vickey explained why Pato is being linked with a host of Premier League clubs.
“Well, first of all on the transfer thing, I think you’re wise to wait for some kind of official confirmation,” Vickey said.
“Corinthians are desperate to get him off the payroll. There have been two agents trying to sell him in England. The asking price keeps coming down.
“A lot of the news that you’ve seen, speculation linking him to Liverpool, a lot of that news has been agent planted, trying to drum up interest.”
Pato has previously been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur.
The South American scored 63 times in 150 appearances in all competitions from Milan during a six-season stay at San Siro.
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The Brazilian was part of the Milan side that won Serie A and Supercoppa Italiana in 2011.
