Football
Liam Twomey, Chelsea correspondent 8y

Chelsea can sign Alexandre Pato to four-year deal if they want - agent

Chelsea have an option to sign Alexandre Pato to a four-year contract this summer, the Brazilian striker's agent has said.

Pato joined Chelsea at the end of January on a six-month loan deal from Corinthians, but arrived at Stamford Bridge well short of match fitness and was placed on a "preseason" regime of double sessions at Cobham by interim manager Guus Hiddink.

Having waited 64 days to make his Chelsea debut, Pato marked the occasion by winning and scoring a penalty in a 4-0 rout of Aston Villa in April, but started just one more match for the Blues in the remainder of the campaign.

Pato's contract with Corinthians expires in December, leaving him free to negotiate a free transfer with interested clubs, but agent Gilmar Veloz says his client remains committed to Chelsea until they decide otherwise.

"Pato has already [reportedly] signed with Inter, Sao Paulo, Palmeiras, Flamengo -- how is he going to sign when he has a contract with Chelsea until June 30?" Veloz told Globoesporte.com when asked about the speculation surrounding Pato's future.

"He has a document there ready for a four-year contract if Chelsea wished to exercise it. I do not know if they are going to, I am not Roman Abramovich.

"If they decide not to buy him, it will be up to Corinthians to decide what to do. Pato is on holiday waiting on his future."

Chelsea, meanwhile, are set to make their first signing since the appointment of Antonio Conte as first-team head coach in April with a £33 million deal for Marseille striker Michy Batshuayi.

The 22-year-old Belgian reportedly underwent a medical at Belgium's training base in Bordeaux on Wednesday, and was withdrawn from a scheduled appearance at a press conference to preview Friday's Euro 2016 quarterfinal against Wales in Lille.

^ Back to Top ^