Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato has long been linked with English Premier League clubs, with the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham having all previously been suspected of eyeing the 26-year-old.
He now, however, finally appears destined for a move to London, though not north London, as ESPN Brasil report that Chelsea have struck a verbal agreement with the player.
According to the report, the deal is all but finalized, with formalities the only thing remaining, as the former AC Milan ace and his current employers are yet to sign the papers.
The Blues are in dire need of reinforcement in the attacking department, as Diego Costa remains the reigning champions’ only senior striker, with Loic Remy injured and Radamel Falcao no longer in the club’s plans.
An injury to Costa could cast Chelsea’s season into further crisis, with the Guus Hiddink’s boys even rumored to be after former Tottenham flop Emmanuel Adebayor as a back-up striker.
The Brazilian forward’s agent has been in talks with Marina Granovskaia, the right-hand to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, with the deal expected to be completed soon.
Pato will reportedly put pen to paper on a three-year contract worth £9m, though Sunday's Emirates Stadium clash with the Gunners may come to soon.
On loan from Corinthians, the Sao Paulo ace’s fitness problems have always been his roadblock to glory.
An undoubted goalscoring talent who scored 41 goals in Serie A from 2008 to 2011, should he muster up a run of injury-free games, he could prove a worthy back-up, or even competition to Diego Costa
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