Arsenal 'have held talks over signing Alexandre Pato'

Alexandre Pato in action for Sao Paulo on September 27, 2014
© Getty Images
Corinthians claim that they have held talks with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger over a potential move for striker Alexandre Pato.

Arsenal have spoken to Corinthians over a possible move for striker Alexandre Pato, according to the Brazilian club's director of football Edu Gaspar.

The former AC Milan forward will reportedly be made available for transfer when his loan spell at fellow Brazilian side Sao Paulo expires in January, and there have been rumours in recent days linking the 26-year-old with a move to Liverpool.

However, Edu, who played under Gunners boss Arsene Wenger between 2001 and 2005, said that he had spoken to his former boss as well as officials from other clubs, reportedly including Chelsea and Tottenham, about a potential move for the striker.

"I was not there to tout him around but if people ask about him, I am going to answer," Edu told The Mirror.

"I talked and they asked questions – not just about him, but about a few of our players. They know them well. I had lunch with Arsene Wenger and he asked about [Pato] and about others."

Pato cost Corinthians around £10.5m when he joined the club in 2013, and has scored 26 goals in 56 appearances for Sao Paulo during his loan spell in 2015.

Alexandre Pato in action for Sao Paulo on September 27, 2014
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City86111981119
2Arsenal86111991019
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs8530134918
4Liverpool85211810817
5Chelsea8512159616
6Everton8431126615
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd8422138514
8Southampton8332107312
9Crystal Palace8323119211
10Watford83231313011
11Bournemouth83231212011
12West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom824298110
13Leicester CityLeicester8224814-68
14Burnley8215612-67
15West Ham UnitedWest Ham8215917-87
16Hull City8215820-127
17Middlesbrough8134711-46
18Stoke CityStoke8134716-96
19Swansea CitySwansea8116815-74
20Sunderland8026615-92