Arsenal table first offer for Brazilian striker target Alex Pato…
The Gunners have had an £8m offer for Corinthians forward Alex Pato rejected, reports the respected, and mostly reliable Brazilian site Lancecnet.
The 24-year-old striker now plies his trade in his native Brazil for Corinthians, following a mixed, and eventually unsuccessful spell in Italy with AC Milan. Pato moved back home in January, and has done solidly, if not spectacularly.
He’s bagged 17 in 57 matches, but has often been used from a wide role instead of as a central striker.
Arsenal are very keen to reinforce the striker positions, with Nicklas Bendtner currently the only fit and established centre-forward as backup to Frenchman Olivier Giroud.
While Giroud has been very impressive all season, an injury to to him could well curtail Arsenal’s title ambitions.
Pato would provide a strong backup option, but also a talented attacking outlet from wide positions.
It is thought that Corinthians see Arsenal’s original offer for Pato as derisory. The striker has scored 10 goals in 27 matches for Brazil, and his club want closer to £15m for his services, despite his shaky recent form.
Pato is unbelievably skilful, but tends to go missing in games when he isn’t regularly supplied the ball in space.
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