Berlusconi put brakes on Pato deal

AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi lauded Alexandre Pato as a ‘great talent’ after explaining why he decided against selling him to PSG.

The 22-year-old forward appeared to have been closing in on a transfer to the Ligue 1 side for a reported 35 million euros earlier in the week, but the move broke down after he pledged his loyalty to the Milanese giants.

However, the Italian club’s owner has since disclosed that he was the one who scuppered the Pato deal, claiming he was loath to see a player of his calibre depart San Siro.

“I have decided to keep Pato because he’s a great talent,” Berlusconi said in a statement on Saturday.

“I was not convinced by the operation from the financial and technical point of view. I made this decision by myself.”

“It’s a choice I made in total autonomy. I’m convinced it’s the best thing for Milan.”

Reports in Italy have also suggested that the striker, who has been with Milan since January 2008, will start Sunday’s Derby della Madonnina against Inter from the bench.