Former AC Milan and Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato of Corinthians has reportedly declined a stupendous financial bonanza from China as he chooses to chase his dream of returning to play in European leagues.

Pato left Italy in 2013 after succumbing to injuries and loss of form. He returned back to Brazil with Corinthians but was sent on loan to fellow Brazilian side Sao Paulo. In his stint with the Tricolor, Pato rediscovered his confidence, scoring 26 goals in 59 appearances in all competitions to steer the club to qualify for this year's Copa Libertadores

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"I played 59 games and scored 26 goals," he said, according to The Telegraph. "That is the best season of my career. Now I feel that my body and my mental strength are both good. My confidence is back."

Pato's good performance has led to his name again being discussed around some of the biggest clubs in Europe and Asia. He is believed to be the interest of Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester among others. But he has not yet received any concrete offer from a Premier League side.

Corinthians football club is reported to have accepted a proposal to send him to a Chinese 2^nd tier side notwithstanding speculations linking Pato with a move back to Europe.

According to Gazzeta World report, the 27-time capped Brazilian gave the strongest indication of his aspiration to reestablish his world reputation by turning down the lucrative three-year deal from Tianjin Quanjian that would have earned him more than €12 million a year.

The president of the Corinthians football club Roberto de Andrade called the offer "something never seen before," but accepted the fact that returning to Europe and to experience once again the Champions League was the only goal of the former AC Milan man.

Pato was the youngest ever player to score in a FIFA-organized competition and broke the record of the legendary Pele.

TagsFIFA Cup, Brazilian Championship