The Gunners have joined north London rivals in the race to sign Alexandre Pato, despite Liverpool chief’s claiming the Corinthians striker has already put pen to paper, prepared for a move to Anfield.
The former AC Milan striker has a number of Premier League clubs interested in him, including West Ham United, but according to reports, Arsenal are in a two-horse race with neighbour’s Tottenham Hotspur to sign the 26-year-old, costing them a fee believed to be around £8 million.
However, Pato’s club, Corinthians, believe that fellow Premier Legaue club Liverpool, have had their eye on the Brazilian, and have a deal in place to bring the striker to Merseyside.
During his spell for AC Milan, he was one of the most wanted strikers in the world, but during his closing years in Italy, he dropped form and ended up back where he started in Brazil, on a loan spell at Sao Paulo from Corinthians only two seasons ago, where he rediscovered his form and started to attract big name clubs once again.
Roberto de Andrade, President of Corinthians, explained what he believes is the situation with Pato at this moment.
There is an agreement in principle with Liverpool for the transfer in the coming weeks, Pato had long expressed a desire to return to Europe.
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.
Pato, who has appeared for his country Brazil 27 times, admits there was transfer activity between himself and another Premier League giant Manchester United last transfer deadline day.
I won’t lie: two hours before the deadline I had a really good offer from Manchester United.
I was expecting it, but actually only found out about it afterwards.
The striker could easily have ended up in Manchester and may join Liverpool or could even end up in London as the player continues to attract big names from arguably the world’s biggest league.
