Football
ESPN staff and PA Sport 8y

Alexandre Pato eager to secure Premier League move

Corinthians forward Alexandre Pato has confirmed he would be keen to play in England.

Pato's career looked to be on a downward trajectory when the injury-hit forward left AC Milan to return to Brazil with Corinthians in 2013.

However, the 26-year-old has since proved his fitness and, having netted 26 goals in 59 matches during a loan spell with Sao Paulo, is ready to return to European football.

Sources told ESPN FC last month that he was keen on a move to England, with Liverpool and Tottenham among the potential options, and although Corinthians boss Tite is keen to keep the player, Pato has now spoken of his desire to play in the Premier League.

"Before I came to Italy to play for Milan in 2007, I saw in the papers that my name was mentioned in connection with some English clubs," he said in interviews with the Mail on Sunday and Sunday Telegraph.

"I was told Chelsea were interested but my dream was to play with Ronaldo. When Milan called my manager, I wanted to go there to make my dreams of playing with Ronaldo and [Paolo] Maldini come true.

"But one day I knew I would like to come to England because I think the Premier League is the No. 1 in the world. It is very competitive.

"I like the emotion in the English league. You look at the TV and you see the stadium and the fans."

Pato's agent recently said that a return to Serie A was a possibility, though, and the forward indicated that he is keeping his options open.

"My dream is to come back to Europe," he said. "I think it has to be to a club that plays to be champions. That challenges and has ambition."

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