Alexandre Pato flies in to London to complete Chelsea loan move from Corinthians

A transfer involving the 26-year-old has been rumoured for a number of weeks, with Pato's agent apparently telling Brazilian television on Tuesday that his client would board a late flight to London in order to complete a move to the reigning Premier League champions.

The deal is believed to be an initial six-month loan deal, with an option to make the transfer permanent in the summer for a fee in the region of £10 million. Pato's parent club Corinthians are eager to recoup some money on a player whose contract expires at the end of 2016, and are aware that the former AC Milan striker's value will only diminish further if the transfer saga is allowed to rumble on into the next window.

Pato was congratulated on his impending transfer by Brazilian Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa, who posted his congratulations on Instagram - writing "I am sure it will be very good for you my bro!! Congrats Chelsea."

Pato's arrival may signal the departure of Loic Remy, with clubs including Swansea, Leicester, Crystal Palace and Newcastle United believed to be interested in signing the forward - who is eager for first-team football in order to press his claims for inclusion in France's European Championship squad.

According to the Guardian Chelsea would prefer to keep Remy and return Radamel Falcao to parent club AS Monaco - but the Colombian's injury situation might mean they are forced to retain him until the end of the campaign.