Chelsea came close to signing Alex Pato

The 19-year-old Brazilian joined the San Siro giants from Internacional in August 2007, and has dazzled in Serie A since, scoring 20 league goals in 41 league appearances and netting on his Brazil debut against Sweden at the Emirates Stadium.

But De Visser, chief scout for Chelsea's Russian owner Roman Abramovich, has revealed the west London outfit attempted to snare the talented youngster from Internacional ahead of Milan.

The Blues had planned to send him straight out on loan to feeder-club PSV Eindhoven, in a similar deal which saw Brazilian central defender Alex eventually arrive at Stamford Bridge.

"We were watching Pato," De Visser said. "I gave him pictures of Ronaldo in a PSV shirt, and he was enthusiastic. He believed strongly in a similar development. I did my utmost, but it was not successful.

"Internacional wanted a lot of money for him."

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