Newcastle Linked with Brazilian International Forward

Newcastle look set to continue their hunt for another striker before the transfer window closes, with Corinthians’ striker, Alexandre Pato, being linked with a move to St James’ Park.

The club have been short of goals this season, and with frontman Aleksandar Mitrovic having failed to find the net on Saturday against West Ham, missing a number of glaring opportunities in front of goal, Mike Ashley has given Charnley the green light to spend big on a new striker.

And The Sun believes that Alexandre Pato could be in line for a cross-Atlantic move.

Pato made a name for himself AC Milan, joining in 2007 from Internacional. Having scored 50 times in 102 appearances across his first four seasons, and winning the UEFA “Golden Boy” award in 2009, many tipped Pato to be a future Ballon d’Or winner. Nonetheless, following two seasons of on-and-off injuries, the Brazilian star has since suffered what many have called a fall from grace.

Moving back to his native Brazil in 2013, he has spent time at both Corinthians (9 goals in 30 games) and Sao Paulo (19 in 59), on loan. But now, it looks as thought he could be set for a return to Europe.

Pato admitted in December that he would welcome a move to England, and he has recently been linked in the tabloids with a number of big Premier League clubs, Chelsea and Liverpool having been mentioned most frequently.

However, earlier this week, Klopp denied the Pato link, while it is believed that Chelsea have stalled on a move for now, perhaps choosing to pursue (former) Newcastle target, Alexandre Lacazette, instead. 

The likelihood of Newcastle being able to attract the likes of Pato to the club remains to be seen. However, with Newcastle already having placed a bid of £18m+ in this window for the likes of Lacazette, a £10m move for Pato is not totally unbelievable. 

If Newcastle were to make a move for Pato, he would become only Newcastle’s fourth ever Brazilian player. In our 123 year history, the only Brazilains to have raced the hallowed turf of SJP are Mirandinha, Fumaca and, more recently, Claudio Cacapa.

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