This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

Birmingham City are among several clubs who want to sign former AC Milan and Chelsea striker Alexandre Pato on a free transfer, as per Italian media outlets, Sportal and Calciomercato.

The 31-year-old Brazilian striker is hunting for a new club after his contract expired at Sao Paulo.

Pato is arguably most renowned for his time at Italian giants AC Milan where he went on to score 63 goals in 150 appearances, whilst also featuring regularly for Brazil between 2008 and 2013.

Since then, Pato has featured for Corinthians, Sao Paulo, Chelsea, Villarreal, Tianjin Quanjian and Sao Paulo again.

So, what do you make of this from a Birmingham perspective? Would he be a good addition? Or a bit of a risk?

The team here at FLW take a look....

Toby Wilding

What a story this would be.

You can see why Birmingham are keen to add another striker to their ranks right now, having struggled badly in front of goal at the start of this season.

Given the profile he has, it would be some coup for Birmingham if they were to get Pato to fill that role, and his past record - although inconsistent in places - does suggest he could be a useful asset for Karanka's side at Championship level.

However, even as a free agent, the demands Pato may have given the size of the clubs he has previously played for, means that this deal is unlikely to be cheap for Birmingham to complete, and that could be a risk with the difficult financial situation clubs across the country currently find themselves in.

 

Are these 10 facts about St Andrew's true or false? Have a go now!

 

 

George Harbey

This would be a bit of a risk.

Pato used to be one of the best strikers in world football after impressing for a really good team in AC Milan, but the Brazil international is a lot older now and his career has stagnated somewhat.

He is bound to be on a hefty wage-packet, too, so can a club like Birmingham afford his wages after their financial problems in the past?

Birmingham definitely need to bolster their attacking options given that they have only scored three goals in seven matches thus far this season, and with the option still there to sign free-agents, it would be daft not to take advantage of it.

But there are players who know the Championship and know English football a lot more than Pato does, who could be better options, I feel.

Ned Holmes

If this comes off it could be fantastic.

Obviously, it's a high-risk move but Birmingham could do with adding another option up front and if – and it's a big if – they get him firing then the 31-year-old could be a fantastic weapon for Karanka to have.

On top of that, you feel a high profile arrival like this could be a huge momentum boost for the club.

That said, it would have to be well managed and I'd be concerned about Birmingham overspending without much reward.

From a personal perspective, I'd love to see it happen. A player like Pato in the Championship would be fantastic.