According to Sky Sports, Brazilian heavyweights Corinthians are expecting Chelsea to sign Alexandre Pato this summer.
The international forward moved to Stamford Bridge on loan in January, and despite making a negligible impact at Stamford Bridge, Corinthians are confident he will move permanently.
Despite Radamel Falcao’s miserable form, Loic Remy’s injury concerns and Diego Costa’s high-profile suspension, Pato has managed just two appearances for Guus Hiddink’s side.
Had the decision on the former AC Milan’s future been the Dutch coach’s to take, one might imagine that Hiddink would not take up the option to sign the 26-year-old.
However, Sky Sports note that incoming Blues boss Antoinio Conte is an admirer of Pato, and the Italy coach presumably sees the forward as a potentially key figure in Chelsea’s future as he looks to return the West London giants to their former glory.
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Since moving to the Premier League, Pato has scored once—a penalty against hapless Aston Villa in a 4-0 victory—although he has yet to truly prove that the fitness concerns that once blighted his career are behind him.