According to British tabloids, AC Milan have turned down a ‘monster offer’ from an English club for Brazilian teenager Alexandre Pato.
Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani broke the news after the 19-year-old striker had been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea. Former Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti is now in charge at Chelsea — but Galliani insists Pato will stay at the San Siro and be offered a contract extension.
Pato yesterday confirmed his desire to stay at Milan, a statement which delighted Galliani, who said:
“Pato will get a contract extension. There were no doubts and there are no doubts regarding his future. The only offer that has arrived to our club was a monster offer from England. I continue to believe that there isn’t a player in the world of his age who is as strong as he is. In any case, no one should worry because he is under contract to June 2012.”
Pato finished as Milan’s second highest scorer behind Kaka in Serie A last season with 15 goals in 36 appearances.
Pato is the type of player that Milan can build a team around and if they lose him, so soon after loosing Kaka, it will make it very difficult for them next year in Serie A and the Champions League.