Former Chelsea flop Alexandre Pato set for return to football on just £8,000-per-week

Former Chelsea flop Alexandre Pato is closing in on a return to football having been released from MLS side Orlando City after suffering a horror knee injury last September.

The Brazilian spent half a season on loan with the Blues from Corinthians in the 2015/16 campaign but only made two appearances with interim manager Guus Hiddink unwilling to give the striker frequent opportunities.

Since, the now-33-year-old has had spells in Spain, China, Brazil and the United States but is currently a free agent after leaving Orlando in January.

Pato started his career in his native Brazil with Internacional but made a name for himself in Italy with AC Milan, scoring 63 goals in 150 appearances between 2007 and 2013.

A return to Brazil with Corinthians followed before a two-year loan spell at Sao Paulo and a brief stint at Stamford Bridge.

Now, according to reports, the veteran could be set for a third spell at Sao Paulo, having spent his second between 2019 and 2020.

The free agent has been going through rehab at the Brazilian Serie A club's training ground while recovering from his knee injury and, according to UOL Esporte, Pato's former outfit could now offer him a contract worth just £8,000-per-week.

With 27 appearances and 10 goals to his name for Brazil, the 33-year-old's career has certainly been bizarre but a return to top-flight football in his homeland could be exactly what he needs to finish his time as a footballer, despite low pay even for standards in the Brazilian top flight.

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The deal would run until the end of 2023 with Sao Paulo enduring a mediocre start to the campaign for their standards, picking up eight points from their opening five league matches with the six-time Brazilian champions seventh in Serie A.

Additionally, once a juggernaut of Brazilian football, Sao Paulo haven't lifted major silverware since 2012 when winning the Copa Sudamericana and haven't won Serie A since 2008.

Although Pato may not be the answer to their trophy drought, the 33-year-old's experience could certainly benefit the Brazilian outfit while the striker himself would receive a fresh opportunity to play professional football.