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Alexandre Pato scored 10 goals in 27 international appearances for Brazil Former AC Milan and Brazil forward Alexandre Pato is a member of a consortium interested in taking over Colchester United. The League Two club confirmed the 36-year-old attended Saturday's home game against Fleetwood Town as a guest of current owner Robbie Cowling. BBC Sport has been told that that a deal is "possible" but it is not thought any announcement is imminent. Talks with the US-based Lightwell Sports Group, headed by Tom Foley, collapsed in June last year. The sale process was reopened in September but Cowling said last month that he could not put any timescale on how long it might take to conclude a deal. "We've got some interested parties. We're not interested in people unless they've got the wealth to take the club on much further than myself, " he told BBC Essex. "There is no timescale, the line has to be that I hand it on to the right person - it's a bit like you looking for someone to adopt your child, you've got to vet them. " No timeline for Colchester sale, says owner Cowling Colchester United goes back on the market Pato scored 10 goals in 27 appearances for Brazil and represented his country at the 2012 Olympics in London, receiving a silver medal after they lost to Mexico in the final at Wembley. He returned to the city four years later for a loan spell at Chelsea but only played twice for the Blues. In 2023 he signed for Sao Paulo but retired from playing at the start of last year. His consortium's interest in Colchester comes at a time when the team are doing well on the pitch under boss Danny Cowley. They are unbeaten in six games, winning the past three, and are eighth in the table, just three points outside the play-off places as they look to return to the third tier of English football for the first time since 2016. The takeover is being overseen by American consultant Mitchell B Reiss on behalf of the club. Pato worked for the media when AC Milan played Liverpool and Arsenal in friendly matches last summer Bradman baggy green cap sets record fee at auction Australian Open alters schedule over extreme heat 'Another unbelievable result' - but what's different about Man Utd now? The Night Manager is back and the heat is on Bryony Gordon shares how running saved her life A high stakes, globetrotting cat-and-mouse game How Lew Frankfort turned Coach into a global brand Why did Alcaraz, Sinner & Sabalenka have to remove fitness trackers? Six English clubs and old foes - all to play for on Champions League final day F1 testing begins - but why all the secrecy? Cal-fouri, a lesser-spotted law & Russell v the Shed - Prem talking points Hardly anyone would have picked Carrick to be Man Utd boss - but now? 'Intoxicating title fight impossible to call as Hearts refuse to buckle' Grudge match or homecoming - what next for Pimblett? Why can't Newcastle win without Guimaraes? 'Joyless and toxic' - will Spurs put Frank out of his misery? 'Brave' debut referee Hallam made right decision - Shearer. Video'Brave' debut referee Hallam made right decision - Shearer 'Liverpool's struggles can no longer be hidden by long unbeaten run' Is Sinner-Alcaraz in danger of making majors boring? Mead and Caldentey star as Arsenal triumph over Chelsea. Video Mead and Caldentey star as Arsenal triumph over Chelsea England fans' World Cup arrest record shows Infantino joke inaccurate Why Norrie exit underlines how Britain is punching below weight Eat & Yap - Arsenal striker Smith answers quickfire questions Video Eat & Yap - Arsenal striker Smith answers quickfire questions What does the future hold for LIV Golf after Koepka exit? 'I'm a scary sight' - Northampton's 23-stone, one-meal man Raducanu's 'most dispiriting' Slam display - what went wrong? The day I discovered the Everton contract Revie never signed Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.