Allegri looking at Pato replacement

AC Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri will move to sign a new striker should Alexandre Pato and Robinho be sold in January.

The Brazilian forwards have both been linked with a return to their homeland, with Pato reported to be the subject of an approach from Corinthians as Robinho continues talks over a switch to boyhood club Santos.

Allegri would not be drawn on a possible replacement, distancing himself from approaches for Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli and Paris St Germain playmaker Javier Pastore.

But he admitted his remaining Rossoneri strikers Stephan El Shaarawy, Giampaolo Pazzini and M'Baye Niang would certainly need support.

He told acmilan.com: "If Pato and Robinho leave we'll need another striker because we need five.

"I suppose 32 squad players is too many. Not for me as much but for them as they tend to get excluded from the team. It's right that they leave to play elsewhere.

"Nothing has changed regarding Pato in the last month. We'll wait for Christmas and for (vice-president Adriano) Galliani to go to Brazil.

"Talking about his leaving at the moment makes no sense. He has extraordinary qualities but we'll wait and see.

"I've never trained Balotelli and until I do I can't pass judgment on him. He's a Manchester City player and there's no point talking about him.

"He showed be allowed to grow and (City manager) Mancini is doing that very well. I don't think that Pastore will be allowed to leave PSG."