Alexandre Pato - called up for Olympics

[D-Kin]

Juventus, Inter and Milan are ready to battle it out on the transfer market for Alexandre Pato of Porto Alegre.

The 17-year-old is seen by many as the new Kaka and he’s admitted that a Serie A switch is a desire of his.

“I know that Milan, Juventus and Inter are following me,” said the South American starlet.

“I feel that I am ready to undertake a European adventure and therefore the interest of these important clubs flatters me.

“I always follow Italian football on television and my dream is to play in Italy.

“I would like to become the new Ronaldo – perhaps I will follow the career of the many Brazilian players who have won so much with Milan...”

Pato is contracted to Internacional until 2009 and is currently valued at £10m, with reports suggesting that a £7m offer from Milan has already been rejected.

Juventus are understood to be in a favourable position to net the attacker as his agent is Gilmar Veloz, who is also the representative of former Juve ace Emerson.

Pato won the Copa Libertadores last year and 2006 FIFA World Club Championship by defeating Barcelona in the Final.

He also impressed in the recent U-20 South American Championship in Paraguay, which was won by the Selecao.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[azzurri]

I guess he would be sent to the under 20 team, since he is only 17. 10 mil is alot for a youth player, and for Juventus, is uneccessary considering they are already stacked with youth talent.

[D-Kin]

Well he might play in the Primavera or just be loaned out to a smaller Italian team.

The good news is that he'll most likely end up in Italy as he's made it clear that's where he wants to play his football, it's just a question of which club.

He sounds promising though, being compared to Kaka and wanting to be the next Ronaldo.

[Forza_Roma]

Originally Posted by Joel

He sounds promising though, being compared to Kaka and wanting to be the next Ronaldo.

He does sound very promising...when you are compared to such great talents as Kaka and Ronaldo, you defintely have potiential. Hopefully he grows into a star. Glad he wants to come to Italy, where the best of the best play.

[D-Kin]

Inter have made contact with Pato.

tribalfootball.com - Inter Milan make formal contact for Internacional whiz Pato

[Jager]

He way to young still to make these comparisons. As of late these young phenoms have been going to smaller teams across Europe.

Buy him, loan him out or just buy if he makes it afterwards. Sometims there are agreements that our in place, even if there is nothing made public.

Some good Argentines and Brazilians have been moving to the smaller clubs and doing well, while learning the Italian game.

17 is much too young.

[D-Kin]

Porto Alegre want to extend Pato's contract.
tribalfootball.com - Internacional anxious to tie Inter, AC Milan target Pato to new deal

[D-Kin]

Milan scout Leonardo has confirmed that the Rossoneri are following Ze Roberto of Santos and Alexandre Pato of Porto Alegre.

The Rossoneri are planning for the transfer market as they look to challenge Inter for next season’s Scudetto and have eyed the Brazilian duo, who had already been paired with the San Siro outfit last year.

“We are looking for players who can adapt well to Carlo Ancelotti’s tactical scheme,” Leonardo told the Brazilian website Globesporte.com.

“Ze Roberto of Santos is definitely one of those players,” added the former Rossonero midfielder, who will switch to a coaching role at Milanello in July.

“We are also interested in Pato, although we believe that he might need some time to mature before playing in Europe,” concluded the 1994 World Cup winner.

The 32-year-old Ze Roberto had already seemed set for a move to the Rossoneri last summer, but the transfer failed because of a knee injury.

However, the South American has since enjoyed an excellent season with Santos and will be free to leave in June, when is 10-month contract ends.

As for Pato, the 17-year-old is also a reported target for Inter and Juventus after impressing as the Selecao triumphed in the South American Under-20s Championship in Paraguay this January.

channel4.com - Football Italia

[LAF]

Every top club in the world has probably had a look at Pato.

I can see him turning into Robinho though (very very inconsistent and not living up to the ridiculous hype).

[Diabolico]

Has anyone actually seen him play? Is he really that good?

I don't think I've ever seen him, but I tend to agree with LAF, this sounds suspiciously like a lot of hype. I could be totally wrong here, but I suspect a "hype snowball", where top clubs get interested simply because other top clubs are interested.

[D-Kin]

Ancelotti has confirmed his interest in Pato.
channel4.com - Football Italia

[Sven]

Originally Posted by Diabolico

Has anyone actually seen him play? Is he really that good?

I don't think I've ever seen him, but I tend to agree with LAF, this sounds suspiciously like a lot of hype. I could be totally wrong here, but I suspect a "hype snowball", where top clubs get interested simply because other top clubs are interested.

Watch him tommorow on Fifa.com.

I've seen highlights of his games, his scoring to game ratio is good at any level.

[Jager]

Is he a midfielder or striker?

[D-Kin]

He's a striker.

Whether he can play in other roles I'm not sure.

[sinoy1]

He can play attacking midfielder as well I think. I can see him in a kaka type role running at players.