Corinthians outcast Alexandre Pato has verbally agreed to join Chelsea, according to sources in Brazil.
The 26-year-old striker reportedly held talks with the Blues on Tuesday night and was offered a temporary switch to Stamford Bridge with a view to a permanent deal.
Chelsea are in need of attacking reinforcements with question marks over the fitness of Diego Costa and misfiring Radamel Falcao ruled out for the foreseeable future.
Costa suffered a bruised tibia in Saturday’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Everton and it remains unclear whether he will be able to take his place in the squad for Sunday’s trip to Arsenal.
Should the Spanish international miss the game, out-of-favour Frenchman Loic Remy would be the only fully fit senior striker on the books in west London.
Blues manager Guus Hiddink told reporters last Friday that no move was in the works for Pato but sources in the player’s homeland suggest that was just a smokescreen.
There have even been suggestions that Chelsea could register the former AC Milan striker in time to face the Gunners at the Emirates this weekend.
Corinthians are happy to allow the striker to leave after persisting with other options up front but they are holding out for a fee of around £8million.
Pato, once tipped as the next big thing during his time in Italy, has not played since November after being allowed to sort out his future and that means he is a long way from match fitness.
But Chelsea are clearly considering it and it is an option with Pato and his advisers believing the deal could get done sooner rather than later.
Are Chelsea making a mistake by going for Pato?
0+ VOTES SO FAR
2016 January Transfer Window
Will close in
