Pato is Blues top target

Last updated : 11 December 2011 By Paul Lagan
Chelsea will attempt to nab Pato from ACMilan in January as. Direct replacement for China-bound Nicolas Anelka. Pato, 22, has long been on Chelsea's radar and will fit in with Chelsea, desire to lower the age range of the squad while still putting high-quality players on the pitch. Anelka's expected departure in January will leave Chelsea struggling in the striker department. Fernando Torres is out of form and favour under Andrea Villas-Boas and could even be sacrificed if Milan were also willing to do a trade with the Spain striker for Robinho. But Pato is Chelsea's priority target. Milan are expected to secure the services of Manchester City's Carlos Tevez on load until the end if the season. This would free up the space for Pato to leave Italy. Chelsea will initially offer £20m for the Brazilian but the deal is expected to reach above £28m. Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou will head off to Africa in middle of January for the African Cup of Nations, leaving the Blues with just Daniel Sturridge as a recognised striker. With Anelka gone, Chelsea will have a striking crisis on their hands if they cannot nab Pato or Robinho. Ideally they want both.