Transfer news: Arsenal have £6.5m offer for Alexandre Pato rejected - reports

Arsene Wenger has reported targeted the Corinthians striker

Could Alexandre Pato be on his way to Arsenal? (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsenal have had a £6.5m offer for Alexandre Pato rejected, according to reports in Brazil.

The former Milan striker Pato now plays back in his home country for Corinthians, but has struggled for form and has fallen out of favour with the home fans.

The 24-year-old joined Corinthians after signing from the Serie A side for £12m in January, and Brazilian newspaper Lance! have reported that Arsene Wenger has identified the forward as the player needed to take the pressure of Arsenal’s lone target man Olivier Giroud. Nicklas Bendtner is currently the club's only other alternative to lead the line.

A move back to Europe could suit the Brazil international, who has only scored 10 goals in 25 league starts for Corinthians, but reportedly only for a higher sum than £6.5m

Pato himself is no stranger to Arsenal, he has played against them three times in the Champions League, and came on as a late substitute in Milan's 4-0 thrashing of the Gunners at San Siro in the Last 16 in February 2012.

Milan's Alexandre Pato (right) takes the ball past Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas at the Emirates Stadium in the Champions League in February 2008 (GETTY IMAGES)