Former striking targets Pato & Leandro Damião for sale

It seems each summer we get linked with Alexandre Rodrigues da Silva, more commonly known to us as simply Pato, in our perennial search for strikers.


Former striking targets Pato & Leandro Damião for sale

Pato was plying his trade in Italy before moving back to Brazil, a move that has not been successful with supporter revolts against him.

The 24 year-old Brazilian returned to Corinthians from AC Milan with whom he spent five and a half seasons before his move back home in January 2013. A year later in February 2014 Corinthians loaned him out to Pato to Sao Paulo until December 2015, the end of his contract.

Pato would welcome a move back to Italy as he revealed to La Gazzetta del Sud recently amid reported interest from Napoli.

"Italy is marvellous and still remains in my heart. A return? We'll see what happens."

If a side match his £12 million transfer fee he can still be sold though. Arsenal, Tottenham and Fenerbahce have all been linked recently. In December Arsenal has a £6.61 million bid turned down so it's unlikely we will be meeting the asking price.

He was quick, skillful, with an eye for goal and after 6 goals in 10 games for Internazionale, AC Milan bought him for £19 million. He started with three successful years but then has three years of injuries, especially his hamstrings.

After 22 goals in 3 years AC Milan sold him to Corinthians for £15 million. He notched 10 goals in 28 games but was a hated figure with the fans so the club loaned him to São Paulo and received Jadson in return.

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For Brazil he has 10 goals in 27 games so he certainly still retains his eye for goal. Their price of £12 million still seems a little high for a player who has suffered hamstring injuries, perhaps around £9 million would be more realistic.

As England fans will know with Michael Owen, once hamstrings start going it can take years to put right if it ever does and it can affect a players speed.

He has lost his place in Brazil's World Cup squad as did another of our former striking targets 24 year-old Leandro Damião, now playing at Santos FC.

Like Pato though Damião has flopped and Santos are trying to offload him. They have offered him to both Porto or Atlético Madrid. Damião scored just 5 goals and had 5 assists in 26 league games but has a contract until 2019 though so it is unlikely we will rekindle our interest this summer.