Football
ESPN staff 8y

Villarreal agree a deal with Corinthians for Alexandre Pato - reports

Villarreal have reached an agreement with Brazilian side Corinthians for Alexandre Pato, according to reports.

The La Liga side will pay Corinthians in the area of €3 million for 60 percent of the former Selecao man's rights.

The move puts a somewhat happy end to a disastrous signing for Corinthians, who spent €15m to bring Pato from AC Milan in the winter of 2013, only to loan him out soon after to rivals Sao Paulo and then to Chelsea last winter.

Corinthians sporting director Edu Ferreira told Brazil site UOL that there is agreement in principle between the two clubs and the deal is nearly done.

The 26-year-old's contract with Corinthians was set expire in December, allowing him to negotiate a free transfer with any club.

Pato had reportedly refused an offer from Lazio earlier this summer, angering his parent club who were seeking to recoup any money from their hefty initial investment.

Pato played 62 games for Corinthians, scoring 17 times, while appearing in 101 matches and collecting 38 goals in two years at Sao Paulo.

He played just two matches in five months for Chelsea, scoring once.

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