Alexandre Pato has refused to rule out the possibility of returning to AC Milan when his contract with Tianjin Quanjian expires, after revealing he has received offers from clubs in Italy.
The striker scored 63 goals in 150 appearances for Milan but decided to return to his native Brazil with Corinthians in 2013, after six years.
Alexandre Pato scored on his debut for:
Internacional ✔
Brazil ✔
AC Milan ✔
Corinthians ✔
Chelsea ✔
Villarreal ✔ pic.twitter.com/AeCQ09lp1S— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 17, 2016
Spells with Sao Paulo, Chelsea and Villarreal followed before Pato made the move to China in 2017, where he has scored 32 goals in 54 games.
Having entered the final 12 months of his contract with Tianjin Quanjian, Pato now appears to be considering a return to Europe.
And the 29-year-old admits there have been offers from Serie A clubs and beyond.
“I’ve received some offers from Serie A teams and also from other European leagues,” Pato told Corriere dello Sport (via Football Italia).
“We’ll see at the end of the year. I’m very happy that Leonardo and [Paolo] Maldini have returned to Milan, for them and also for the fans who needed people to be the face of Milan.
“I’ve spoken to Leo a few times, and of course there were some jokes about my possible return to Milan.
“Joking aside though, I have a year on my contract here in China and we’ll see what happens. I receive so many comments every day from Milan fans on social media, from Italy and around the world.
“That makes me happy, and it makes me think that despite some years having passed since I left, the affection from the fans has never gone away.”
Pato in Europe
Pato playing for Villarreal in 2017.
Pato’s best spell at Milan came between 2008 and 2011. He scored 14 goals during Milan’s Serie A-winning campaign in 2010/11 while adding three in two appearances in the Copa Italia, which Milan also won that year.
However, a string of injuries seriously hindered his progress from the 2011/12 season onwards. He scored just four times in all competitions that year and eventually returned to Brazil midway through the 2012/13 campaign.
Since leaving Milan, Pato has scored no more than six goals in a single season in Europe, but he has shone in both Brazil and China.
Tianjin Quanjian were managed by former Inter and Juventus defender Fabio Cannavaro when Pato joined, but that’s no longer the case.
Pato also commented on Milan target Lucas Paqueta, saying: “Paqueta is very good, my advice is to learn Italian quickly and try in every way to do well immediately. The Milan fans are incredible and will love him.”
The post Pato refuses to rule out Milan return after revealing offers from Europe appeared first on Squawka News.
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