Former AC Milan, Chelsea, and Brazil forward Alexandre Pato is part of a group interested in acquiring Colchester United.
Pato was present as Colchester secured a 2-1 victory against Fleetwood Town at the JobServe Community Stadium over the weekend, while discussions about the potential takeover are ongoing.
Although no deal is close, the BBC reports that a takeover involving Pato and his consortium could happen. Pato retired from professional football last year at the age of 36 and is now looking to enter club ownership.
The Brazilian forward netted 63 goals in 150 matches for AC Milan after joining from Internacional and won the Serie A title with the team in 2010-11.
His career included stints at clubs such as Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Villarreal, Tianjin Quanjian, and Orlando City, along with a brief loan period at Chelsea impacted by injuries. Pato ended his career with 188 goals in 500 club appearances and scored 10 times for Brazil in 27 caps.
Pato’s involvement in the consortium is expected to raise interest in Colchester, currently ranked eighth in League Two and aiming for promotion.
Last month, Colchester owner Robbie Cowling talked about the ongoing takeover process.
“We’ve got some interested parties. We’re not considering anyone unless they have the financial capability to take the club to the next level,” he stated to BBC Essex.
“There is no specific timeline; the focus is on passing the club to the right person – it’s akin to finding someone to adopt your child; you must carefully evaluate them.”
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