Dede could be next to join Corinthians after Pato

Rio de Janeiro, Jan 9 (IANS): Vasco and Brazil defender Dede could be the next player to join Corinthians with the Brazilian football club having already signed Alexandre Pato from Italian giants AC Milan in the January transfer window.

During a radio interview Tuesday, Corinthians director Roberto de Andrade suggested the Paulista outfit could sign the 24-year-old if the circumstances were right. Andrade, however, reaffirmed his club are yet to make an approach for the player, reports Xinhua.

“We haven’t spoken to anyone yet, and we’ll wait for someone to come to us. If Vasco are interested in selling they can get in contact with us,” he said.

Dede has been a long-term target for Corinthians and a number of European clubs in recent months after a string of excellent displays. But owing to Vasco’s asking price and their unwillingness to part with their most prized asset an agreement has not been forthcoming.

The 2013 Brazilian season is set to begin in weeks and Corinthians have already signed two big name players. Pato and Renato Augusto have joined the ranks from Milan and Bayer Leverkusen respectively in multi-million dollar deals.