Boost for Chelsea as Alexandre Pato says he’s ready for talks

Simon Johnson
9 Jun 2009

AC Milan star Alexandre Pato today admitted he is interested in a move to Chelsea and wants to have talks with new boss Carlo Ancelotti next week.

The Italian has made Pato one of his main targets after losing out to Real Madrid over the signing of Kaka, who joined the Spanish club last night in a world record £59million deal.

The duo have a close relationship as Ancelotti was in charge at the San Siro when the striker joined from Brazilian side Internacional as a 17-year-old in a £19.6m deal two years ago.

He has gone on to make a huge impact in Serie A and Ancelotti is hoping he will have the same effect in the Premier League.

It's understood AC Milan will be unwilling to sell another of their prize assets after agreeing to let Kaka go to the Bernabeu. But Pato, who is tied up with Brazil for the rest of the month because of their involvement in the Confederations Cup, said: "I will talk with Ancelotti. He is an extraordinary man.

"It is thanks to Ancelotti that I managed to come through at Milan and in Italian football.

"Before deciding my future I want to talk with him. At the end of June, after the Confederations Cup in South Africa, I will talk with the Milan directors."

Ancelotti, who agreed to leave AC Milan this month after eight years in charge, begins work at Chelsea on 1 July and speaking with Pato appears to be one of his first tasks.

He will get the necessary financial backing from owner Roman Abramovich and Chelsea are planning to offer the Italian giants around £40m in a bid to persuade them to do a deal.

It is increasingly important the Londoners succeed because another of their summer targets, Valencia striker David Villa, may also now be destined for Real Madrid, according to reports in Spain today.