Chelsea have officially announced that Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato has agreed personal terms and will join the club this week.
Chelsea managed to beat Manchester United to the race for Brazilian forward, whose career has been taking many turns up and down in recent times.
His present club Corinthians have publicly stated that they want the 25-year old to move on and it is now understood that he has made his way to the Premier League to play for Chelsea.
Chelsea and Pato reach verbal agreements
Chelsea have been in talks with the Brazilian since a week and with the injury to Diego Costa, the London franchise is now keen to complete a deal before the game against Arsenal this weekend.
Manager Guus Hiddink would be keen to sign Pato before the Arsenal game and play him in the London Derby as he is really short on strikers at the moment. Costa and Falcao are injured, while Loic Remy is not in a goal-scoring form at the moment.
Corinthians value Pato at around £10 million, but Chelsea my try to haggle down that price or even push for a loan with a view to a permanent move.
Chelsea will also have to obtain a work permit for the player and might need him to practice for atleast a week as he has not played since the start of November.
Pato is now hopeful that Chelsea do not stumble upon a better option before his move is finalized as the Blues have not yet dismissed a series of alternatives.
Image credit: getty