Arsenal 'have held talks over signing Alexandre Pato'

Arsenal have spoken to Corinthians over a possible move for striker Alexandre Pato, according to the Brazilian club's director of football Edu Gaspar.

The former AC Milan forward will reportedly be made available for transfer when his loan spell at fellow Brazilian side Sao Paulo expires in January, and there have been rumours in recent days linking the 26-year-old with a move to Liverpool.

However, Edu, who played under Gunners boss Arsene Wenger between 2001 and 2005, said that he had spoken to his former boss as well as officials from other clubs, reportedly including Chelsea and Tottenham, about a potential move for the striker.

"I was not there to tout him around but if people ask about him, I am going to answer," Edu told The Mirror.

"I talked and they asked questions – not just about him, but about a few of our players. They know them well. I had lunch with Arsene Wenger and he asked about [Pato] and about others."

Pato cost Corinthians around £10.5m when he joined the club in 2013, and has scored 26 goals in 56 appearances for Sao Paulo during his loan spell in 2015.