Chelsea F.C. is close to adding Brazilian forward Alexandre Pato from Brazilian side Corinthians Paulista, according to ESPN Brazil.
Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink is keen to add a striker in the transfer window, and Pato has expressed his intent to play in England, according to ESPN. The Brazilian international turned down a lucrative offer from Chinese side Tianjin Quanjian earlier in January, according to the Guardian.
The deal has yet to be confirmed, but according to the Score, Chelsea and Pato have reached a verbal agreement that will see the 26-year-old earn in the neighborhood of $2.5 million U.S. per year.
AC Milan sold Pato to Corinthians in 2013 where he spent a productive two years with the Brazilian club, scoring 26 times over 51 appearances.
Pato earned 27 caps for his country in international play, and despite not playing competitively since November, Pato will be expected to add a scoring touch to a struggling Chelsea side. With training and baring issues securing a work permit, it shouldn't be hard to get Pato on the pitch according to the Guardian.
In addition to adding Pato, Chelsea has locked up defender Branislav Ivanovic for another year. The 31-year-old Ivanovic signed a one-year contract with Chelsea on Wednesday, according to ESPN FC.
The Serbian international turned down offers from Manchester City, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Zenit St Petersburg in order to remain with the club he has been with since 2008, according to the Daily Mail.
Ivanovic wanted a contract with Chelsea that exceeded one year, but according to the Score, the club refuses to offer contracts longer than one year to players older than 30.
Ivanovic joined Chelsea seven years ago in a transfer from Lokomotiv Moscow and has been a mainstay on defense ever since. The Serbian international has made 22 appearances for Chelsea this year.
Chelsea is expected to announce the two signings later in the week, according to ESPN.
