After resurrecting his career in Brazil, former AC Milan wonderkid Alexandre Pato could be set to join Liverpool in January, reports claim.
Pato, now 26, joined Milan from Internacional in 2007.
But after initially thriving in Serie A, recurring injury issues saw a rapid decline in form from the Brazil international.
Moving to Corinthians in 2013, Pato has set his sights on a return to Europe.
According to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, this could be with Liverpool, with Pedulla suggesting that an agreement is in place between the two clubs for a January transfer worth £14.3 million.
Further reports relay word from Corinthians president Roberto de Andrade, who is said to have confirmed an “agreement in principle.”
“Pato had long expressed a desire to return to Europe,” De Andrade revealed, according to one report.
“Liverpool await, there are a few missing details, but Klopp will have a new reinforcement and for Pato the Premier League will be a new springboard.”
The credibility of these claims is, of course, questionable.
The Italian media are renowned for their loose grasp on reality when it comes to the transfer market, with links between the Reds and Xherdan Shaqiri still fresh in the mind.
But the prospect of Pato arriving at Anfield is an intriguing one.
“The idea of having a front 3 of Firmino, Pato, Coutinho under a top coach as Klopp, is tempting for any Seleção supporter, to say the least,” opined Brazilian football Twitter account Selecao Brasileira in response to the reports.
Though Pato’s first European jaunt ended in injury, the forward looks to have addressed his fitness issues, and has scored nine goals and assisted on five in 24 league appearances this season.
Pato typically operates as a left-sided winger for Corinthians, but is also capable of performing as a No. 9.
With Jurgen Klopp‘s squad current lacking in pacy, direct, goalscoring wide options, adding Pato could be a canny piece of business by Liverpool this winter.
For just over £14 million, it is something of a risk for the Reds.
But with Pato on course to resurrect his career ahead of the World Cup in 2018, it may be one worth taking.
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