According to reports from TuttoMercatoWeb, Liverpool have ‘agreed in principle’ to sign striker Alexandre Pato during the January transfer window.
The 5 foot 11 front-man burst onto the scene in 2007 as AC Milan’s free-scoring teenager, bagging 51 goals in 117 Serie A appearances for the Italian giants, but left the San Siro in 2012 following a spate of recurring injury problems.
The 26 year-old has resurrected his career somewhat during an 18 month spell with Sao Paulo on loan from Corinthians, producing 37 goals in 94 appearances, and has been tipped for a return to European football.
He’s been linked with a number of Premier League clubs over the past few months, most notably Manchester United and West Ham, and earlier this week confirmed his interest in moving to the English top flight, telling Radio Globo; “Next year I won’t be playing at Sao Paulo, everybody knows that. I hope England or Spain. I do not know if I can stay with Corinthians. I just try to do as well as possible.
But TuttoMercatoWeb claim the Brazil international will join an alternative Premier League side in January – Manchester United’s northwest rivals Liverpool.
The Italian website’s report reads; “There is an agreement in principle with Liverpool for the transfer in the coming weeks. 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.”
They also claim the deal will be worth around €20million, including all agent and signing on fees.