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Published 10:53 26 Jan 2026 GMT
Updated 09:29 5 Mar 2026 GMT

A Brazilian football star, who played in the Premier League as recently as 2016, is in talks as part of the takeover of an EFL club, as reported first in the Daily Gazette.
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Per the report, former Chelsea and AC Milan man Alexandre Pato has held "provisional talks regarding a stunning potential takeover at Colchester United."
The owner and chairman of the League Two outfit are said to have engaged in behind the scenes talks with Pato, with the club reportedly keen to sell to the right buyer.
The retired winger, who was capped 27 times for La Selecao, was in attendance during Colchester’s game with Fleetwood Town on Saturday.
While it is still unclear what role Pato is set to undertake —either as part of the negotiations or with the club following a potential takeove — talks are now underway.
Pato is one of the best-known Brazilian forwards of the 21st century.
As a teenager, Pato captured the world's attention after signing for AC Milan in 2007, eventually scoring 57 goals in 140 appearances during six years in Italy.
The remainder of his career was split across spells for the likes of Corinthians, Chelsea, Villarreal, and Orlando City, before Pato finally retired in January 2025.
It now remains to be seen how talks between Pato and the League Two outfit progress over coming weeks.
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