CHINA TOPIX

03/28/2024 10:33:07 pm

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Brazilian Striker Alexandre Pato on Radar of Chinese Football Club

alexandre pato

(Photo : Getty Images) Pato was the youngest ever player to score in a FIFA-organized competition.

Former Brazilian international striker Alexandre Pato is reportedly being sought by several football clubs in China and Turkey, according to media reports.

According to a published report of Xinhua, Pato is currently contracted to the La Liga club Villarreal until June 2020 but the Spanish outfit could be tempted to offload the Brazilian national if a hefty transfer fee is forthcoming.

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Media reports suggested that a club of an Asian league, which has been spending a considerable amount of money in the recent years, can offer a good deal on the table to the Brazilian. In 2015, Pato has been in the radar of then China League One club Tianjin Quanjian. The 27-cap forward was reportedly offered a lucrative three-year deal by the Chinese outfit having a whooping value of more than €12 million (US$ 12.88 million) a year.

However, the 2009 Serie A Young Footballer of the Year winner chooses to chase his dreams of returning to the European leagues and turned down the stupendous financial bonanza from China.

In January 2016, Pato transferred to English Premier League club Chelsea on a loan deal. His agent claimed that the Brazilian was keen to make the move permanent and that Pato enjoyed life in London. However, after spending a season with only two official appearances, the Stamford Bridge-homed football club opted not to sign Pato and the former AC Milan striker returned to Brazilian Championship A Serie club Corinthians.

On July last year, Corinthians confirmed Pato's transfer to the La Liga club Villarreal CF. According to The Sun the 27-year-old professional footballer has fired in just five goals in his 22 appearances this season and could be about to lose his spot in the Villarreal side.

Pato was the youngest ever player to score in a FIFA-organized competition and broke the record of the legendary Pele while playing for the Internacional squad that won the 2006 FIFA Club World Cup in Japan. He also won two successive Olympic medals for his country, a bronze in 2008 Beijing Olympics and a silver medal four years later in London.

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