Ancelloti: No Bid For Pato
Sports 12:13 AM
Carlo Ancelotti has reiterated Chelsea are not looking to further strengthen their squad with the signing of AC Milan's Alexandre Pato.The striker has been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea all summer and the Rossoneri reportedly turned down a "monster offer" for the Brazil forward over a month ago.
Fresh speculation on Sunday suggested Chelsea were close to sealing a deal for Pato, which would see the Barclays Premier League club shell out 52million euros (£44million) and loan the 19-year-old back to Milan for the upcoming season.
But former Milan coach Ancelotti, who was speaking after Chelsea's victory over Manchester United in the Community Shield following a penalty shoot-out at Wembley on Sunday, said: "There will be no new players here at Chelsea.
"It is not true about Pato. He is a Milan player.
"Milan believe a lot in Pato, because they have sold Kaka, and so he is now a very important player for Milan.
"It is not true that Chelsea did offer for him."
Earlier on Sunday AC Milan rubbished reports they are in talks with Chelsea over Pato and further underlined their stance that he's "non transferable".
A statement on their official website read: "With regards to the rumours circulated this morning by the English press, AC Milan clarify and reaffirm that there are no negotiations ongoing with Chelsea regarding Alexandre Pato, and that the player is absolutely non transferable."
Pato, who is under contract until June 2012, finished as Milan's second highest scorer behind Kaka in Serie A last season with 15 goals in 36 appearances.
It is unlikely the Rossoneri would be swayed by a huge offer having already cashed in around 65million euros from the sale of Kaka to Real Madrid at the beginning of the summer.
Posted by Cinema Season
on 12:13 AM.
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