Corinthians striker Alexandre Pato has revealed he rejected a move to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer transfer window, Sky Sports understands.
Pato, 24, joined Timão from AC Milan in a deal worth £12.2 million in January after failing to keep his regular first-team place in the Rossoneri squad.
Since arriving in São Paulo, the Brazil international — who was recalled by national team boss Luiz Felipe Scolari for the recent friendlies against Australia and Portugal — has bagged 16 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions for Corinthians.
“Tottenham had called Corinthians to ask for my transfer,” Pato told Brazilian TV station SporTV.
“I sat at the table with the club and my agent and I decided I wanted to stay.”
In other news, Tottenham striker is a January transfer target for Turkish Süper Lig giants Besiktas, according to the Daily and Sunday Express.
“We were interested in Adebayor in August,” Besiktas vice-president Ahmet Nur Cebi told Besiktas TV.
“The club will target Adebayor again in January, but it’s difficult to sign such marketable players.”
Adebayor, 29, has yet to make a first-team appearance for Spurs this season.
The Togo international, formerly of Arsenal and Manchester City, is also reportedly attracting interest from English Championship side Queens Park Rangers.
Dickov wants Macheda return
Doncaster Rovers manager Paul Dickov hopes to secure another loan deal for out-of-favour Manchester United striker Federico Macheda.
Macheda, 22, joined Donny on a month-long loan in September but his time in South Yorkshire was cut short due to a hamstring injury.
The Italy Under-21 international is now nearing full fitness, with Dickov planning another swoop for the once highly-rated 22-year-old following an embarrassing 4-0 defeat to Middesbrough.
“Kiko is getting closer to being fit again and although I have not spoken to United for a few weeks, I will be on the phone soon to see if we can get him back here as he was a big plus to the side with his eye for goal,” said Dickov.
“I am always looking at how I can strengthen the side and this week I have been away a few days looking at players. If I see again what I saw on Friday night, I will look to bring in other players to play instead.
“I’m looking at players I can bring in up to January and to be honest Friday night changed my mind a little bit. I don’t think I will be bringing in anyone before Saturday at this moment in time.”
Macheda, whose current contract at Old Trafford expires at the end of the season, netted three goals in five league appearances for Doncaster last month.
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