According to reports in Brazil, fans of Corinthians had plans to assault Tottenham Hotspur target Alexandre Pato. It has been revealed that there were plans for his own supporters to break the player’s legs which could now evidently result in the forward finally leaving the club.
Football outlet Lancenet has reported on claims in the Sao Paulo press that supporters broke into the Corinthians training ground on Saturday with the intentions to break the legs of Pato and his teammate Emerson. Both players have come under a lot of flak for their role in the club’s poor season form and especially Pato because he is Corinthians’ highest earner.
It was reported that once the fans managed to get into the complex they caused carnage by smashing the player’s cars and vandalising buildings. A cleaning lady was injured in the scuffles but they never managed to confront Pato. Even though Pato got away lightly it is understood that his teammate Paolo Guerrero was assaulted.
Pato has had to endure abuse from the Corinthian’s fans over the past few months which has led to speculation he is ready to quit the club. In September the club shop was trashed after another defeat for the Sao Paulo side with graffiti being sprayed over the windows condemning the Brazilian international. He was also confronted in October by fans when stepping off the team coach after he was blamed for the team being knocked out of the Brazilian cup.
Tottenham will be looking on with interest to these latest developments involving their long term target with now a possibility of getting him on a cut price deal. Lancenet reported in November that the Premier League side tried to sign the player for €15m in the summer transfer window but this was turned down. Since then Pato’s position at the Corinthians has changed and he could be picked up for as little as €12m in the summer.
