Inter Milan are lining up a move for ex-AC Milan hitman Alexandre Pato, according to reports in Italy.
La Gazzetta dello Sport claims the San Siro giants have set their sights on rescuing the Brazil international from a difficult spell in his homeland and could put an offer on the table this week.
The 24-year-old is said to have already expressed an interest in returning to Serie A, just one year on from his switch to Corinthians which ended a six-year stint with Milan.
An agreement on a transfer fee could prove to be the major stumbling block, the report adds, as Inter – who are in contact with the striker’s agent – may have to sell before they can buy.
Pato became unsettled in his homeland when angry Corinthians supporters tried to attack him at the club’s training ground following the side’s dip in form at the start of this year.
A hastily-arranged transfer saw him join Sao Paulo in exchange for midfielder Jadson.
His deal there runs until December 2015, but he is permitted to negotiate a permanent move if a club in Europe makes an offer before the end of this month.
Earlier on this summer he suffered the heartache of being left out of the Brazil squad for the World Cup on home soil.