AC Milan forward Alexandre Pato is currently one of the best young players in Europe and one of the focal points at Italian giants Milan. However, things could have been completely different for the gifted attacker.

According to former Hertha Berlin manager Dieter Hoeness, the Brazilian international was on the verge of joining the Bundesliga side in the summer of 2007. Instead, Pato left Internacional for Milan weeks later.

Hertha had reportedly already reached an agreement with Internacional over a €3.5 million move, but the transfer eventually collapsed due to financial reasons.

“Pato was only 17 years old back then and he wouldn’t have been able to join us until he had reached the age of 18. We were not in the financial position to make such an investment in a long term prospect,” said Hoeness to Kicker.

Hertha will be unhappy with their decision not to sign Pato in hindsight. The forward eventually joined Milan for €22m and went on to become one of the best attackers in Europe.