Forward Alexandre Pato to join Liverpool, reveals Corinthians chief

Sao Paulo: Corinthians forward Alexandre Pato will sign for English Premier League (EPL) side Liverpool in January, the Brazilian football club's president Robero de Andrade has revealed.

The 26-year-old, once tipped as the next big Brazilian star, is currently on loan at Sao Paulo from Corinthians until December but Pato revealed this week that he will not be extending his stay.

The former AC Milan forward moved back to his country from Italy in 2013 and is said he is hoping for a move to England or Spain in the new year.

And if De Andrade is to be believed, Pato, who has not played for Brazil since 2012, will get his wish and is set to play a part in Jurgen Klopp's Anfield revolution once the winter window opens in January.

The Corinthians chief claimed that the deal is close to being agreed, admitting that there are still "a few missing details".

"There is an agreement in principle with Liverpool for the transfer in the coming weeks. Pato had long expressed a desire to return to Europe," De Andrade was quoted as saying by dailymail.co.uk on Saturday.

"Liverpool await, there are a few missing details, but Klopp will have a new reinforcement and for Pato the Premier League will be a new springboard."

Klopp is short of fire power at the moment with Daniel Sturridge still struggling to shake off a persistent knee injury while summer signing Danny Ings has been ruled out for the season with a cruciate ligament injury.