Ex-Chelsea striker Alexandre Pato in line for move to Chinese Super League
Brazilian only joined Villarreal in the summer but has been linked with moves to China and Turkey
ALEXANDRE PATO could be yet another Brazilian mercenary to head to China for cash.
The former Chelsea striker joined in the summer but is already being linked with a move away.
Spanish title Sport claim that there is interest in taking him to the Chinese Super League.
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Reports in Turkey also claim that Galatasaray are keen on the 27-cap forward, who has not played for Brazil since 2013.
The lure of earning absurd amounts of cash may appeal to Pato, whose career has nose-dived dramatically in recent years.
Once a prodigy who netted on his AC Milan debut as an 18-year-old, Pato failed in his stint at Chelsea last year having hardly set his homeland alight in spells with Sao Paulo and Corinthians.
Pato, now 27, has fired in just five goals in 22 appearances this season and could be about to lose his spot in the Villarreal side.
The Spanish outfit are believed to be closing in on deals to bring in Porto's Adrian Lopez on loan as well as former Manchester City striker Felipe Caicedo from Espanyol.
If either of those deals go through then Pato is likely to be shunted closer to the exit.
Fellow Brazilian stars Oscar, Hulk, Alex Teixeira, Ramires and Paulinho have all moved to China for the Yuan on offer, with Brazilian-born Diego Costa possibly following this summer.