According to respected soccer journalist César Luis Merlo, Orlando City SC have submitted a formal offer to sign former Brazilian international striker Alexandre Pato.
Currently a free agent after terminating his contract with São Paulo in August 2020, the 31-year-old could help fill the temporary void left by Daryl Dike‘s loan to Barnsley.
💣💣 Orlando City 🇺🇲 quiere a Alexandre Pato 🇧🇷 y también le hizo una propuesta. 👇👇https://t.co/rcEVIIC0tu
— César Luis Merlo (@CLMerlo) February 8, 2021
In a translated version of César Luis Merlo’s original article for am.com.mx, it says: “the offer is concrete”.
Reportedly, Alexandre Pato is currently analysing the switch “with his family”.
The news story also states that Argentine Primera División side Argentinos Juniors are rivalling Orlando City SC for Alexandre Pato’s signature.
In statements to TyC Sports, Argentinos Juniors president Cristian Malaspina has acknowledged that they have been negotiating for Pato “for ten days”.
Alexandre Pato was previously one of the hottest prospects in world football. He burst onto the scene as a teenager at Internacional back in 2006.
Earning him a coveted early move to Europe, Pato set the world alight at AC Milan. He departed Italy having struck 51 goals in 117 Serie A appearances.
He later made just two appearances on loan at Chelsea in 2016, scoring once.
Alexandre Pato’s most recent career high was a three-year association with Chinese club Tianjin Tianhai between 2017 and 2019.
The Brazilian scored 30 goals in 47 domestic appearances for the Chinese Super League outfit.
Orlando City SC supporters will hope he can recapture this prolific goalscoring form if signed at Exploria Stadium this off-season.