Tottenham Hotspur target Alexandre Pato keen for Sao Paulo stay

Tottenham Hotspur are poised to bolster their attacking options with the signing of Brazilian star Alexandre Pato, according to reports in Portugal.

He is on loan at São Paulo from the Corinthians until this December as his contract with his primary club runs out in 2016.

Globoesporte then reported on Friday that entrepreneur Giuliano Bertolucci was in London to try to negotiate a deal, with Spurs said to be the main interested party.

“Everyone knows that the Corinthians, pretend, want and pray day and night to sell Pato”.

The 25-year-old has been in fine form this season for Sao Paulo, scoring 21 goals in all competitions, which include eight goals in Brazil’s top tier championship.

Asked directly about Tottenham’s supposed interest, Pato replied: “I don’t know”. “My desire is to stay, but it’s not entirely down to me”.

“I would like to stay, but we’ll see tomorrow”.

However he did comment on his future without dealing with specific clubs, saying, “I have today, tomorrow; we’ll see what happens”. “I think it would be impossible for there to be no offers”.

Pato would prefer to stay with Sao Paulo but admitted after his side’s 3-0 win over Ponte Preta on Saturday that he would seek clarification over his next step.