Chelsea transfer news: Felipe Massa congratulates Alexandre Pato on imminent Stamford Bridge move

Chelsea seem to have beaten off competition from Premier League rivals to seal the signing of Alexandre Pato from the Corinthians after Brazilian F1 driver Felipe Massa congratulated his compatriot over an imminent move to Stamford Bridge. The 26-year-old forward has evinced interest in playing in the Premier League following three years in his homeland with the Corinthians and most recently on loan at Sao Paulo.

According to the Daily Mail, the Brazil international is expected to seal an initial loan move, which could be made permanent for a fee of around £7m ($10m) with the report claiming that the forward has already agreed a three-year deal in principle. Massa, who is said to be a good friend of the forward, congratulated the Stamford Bridge outfit as well for their capture of the striker.

"I am sure it will be very good for you my bro!! Congrats Chelsea FC," Massa wrote on his official Instagram account alongside a picture of Pato and his partner Fiorella Mattheis.

Apart from the Blues, according to the Independent, Premier League rivals Liverpool and Manchester United were also said to be monitoring the situation regarding the availability of the forward, but Guus Hiddink's side seem to have won the race to secure his services at least for the remainder of the campaign. Pato has expressed his desire to play in the English top-flight competition and even admitted to have spoken to compatriots Philippe Coutinho and Willian, who ply their trade in England with Liverpool and Chelsea respectively.

"I like the emotion in the English league. You look at the TV and you see the stadium and the fans. I remember that when we played Arsenal, they were very strong and very fast. My special thing is my speed. I'm fast. I think that's good because the football here is very quick," Pato said, as quoted by the Independent.

"I have spoken to Willian, Firmino, Coutinho and David Luiz before. I think Brazilian players can play here. You mix talent and intelligence and Brazilian players can play here," the former AC Milan forward added.