Former Brazil Star Alexandre Pato Linked to Northampton Town Bid

Former AC MilanTeam·AC Milan and Brazil international Alexandre Pato is reportedly a member of a consortium poised to acquire a majority stake in English League Two club Northampton TownTeam·Northampton Town, according to BBC Sport. The news signals a potentially significant shift for the club, which recently experienced relegation from League One.

While the BBC report indicates Pato's involvement with Northampton TownTeam·Northampton Town, current web searches have not corroborated this specific link. Instead, previous reports from the 2025/26 season detailed Alexandre Pato's discussions regarding an investment in another League Two side, Colchester United. Pato, who retired from playing in 2023, was a guest of Colchester United's owner and chairman Robbie Cowling at a match in January 2026, fueling speculation about a potential takeover. However, those discussions concluded without a deal, with a possible takeover announced to be off by February 2026.

Northampton TownTeam·Northampton Town's 2025/26 season, their 129th in history, proved challenging. The club finished in 24th place in League One, resulting in their relegation to League Two for the upcoming season. This downturn was accompanied by a change in management, with KevinPlayer·Kevin Nolan being sacked on March 9, 2026, after 70 games. Colin Calderwood subsequently took over as manager on March 10, 2026, tasked with navigating the club through its difficult period.

The team's performance throughout the season was inconsistent. Notable victories included a 3–0 win against ChelseaTeam·Chelsea U21 in the EFL Trophy on September 23, 2025, and another 3–0 away victory over Plymouth ArgyleTeam·Plymouth Argyle in League One on November 29, 2025. Conversely, the club suffered several heavy defeats, including a 5–1 loss to Burton Albion on December 26, 2025, a 4–0 defeat against Lincoln City on February 17, 2026, and another 5–1 thrashing by Cardiff CityTeam·Cardiff City on April 25, 2026. In cup competitions, Northampton TownTeam·Northampton Town reached the semi-finals of the EFL Trophy but exited both the FA CupCompetition·FA Cup and EFL CupCompetition·EFL Cup in the first round.

The reported interest from a consortium including a high-profile figure like Alexandre Pato could inject much-needed capital and attention into Northampton TownTeam·Northampton Town as they prepare for life in League Two. Such investment trends highlight the growing appeal of lower-league English football to international figures, though the specifics of this particular bid remain subject to further confirmation.