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Alexandre Pato at Colchester United's Jobserve Community Stadium last Saturday Alexandre Pato's interest in Colchester United underlines the overall strength of the English football pyramid, says manager Danny Cowley. The former AC Milan and Brazil forward is part of a group interested in investing in the U's and attended last Saturday's home game against Fleetwood Town. Chairman Robbie Cowling put the League Two club up for sale last year but a deal with the US-based Lightwell Sports Group fell through in June. "It's a great football club with an incredible support base, with some really good foundations. Everybody can see the potential in the club and it's no surprise to me that there's as much interest as there is, " Cowley told BBC Essex. "Robbie has said that his focus is to make his last decision for this football club his best decision. I know the club means an awful lot to him as a person and it's not just about the finances for Robbie, it's about finding the right people to be able to carry on the legacy he's created. "The fact that people far and wide want to be involved in English football - that says a lot for our pyramid and the quality of football in this country. That's something we should all be proud of and inspired by. " Cowley confident in Cowling takeover decision Pato consortium interested in Colchester takeover Alexandre Pato scored 10 goals in 27 international appearances for Brazil Asked about Pato's visit, Cowley joked: "We did ask if he'd be available to play for us on Tuesday [against Grimsby] because we're pretty short. "We were thinking we could maybe play him with (Jack) Payne as a double 10 but unfortunately that wasn't possible. " The 36-year-old retired from playing last year, with a Serie A title with AC Milan in 2011 and a silver medal for Brazil at the 2012 London Olympics among the highlights of his career. Colchester confirmed he attended the Fleetwood game as a guest of Cowling but BBC Sport was told on Monday that although a deal was "possible", it was not thought it was imminent. "We have a lot of confidence in Robbie to make the right decision. We watch a lot of clubs, Shrewsbury, Tranmere, who are all in a similar position with potential takeovers happening and it's not easy in these moments, " said Cowley. "I'm so proud of the way - with any takeover there's uncertainty for us all - that everybody has just got on with it on a day-to-day basis. "Nobody has used it as an excuse. Nobody has thought about themselves, everybody has just thought about doing the right thing for the club. "That's the reason why we've been able to maintain the consistency and the standards that we have. We all, players, staff, supporters all deserve a lot of credit for that. " Colchester are 10th in the table, four points outside the play-offs, and are away to Crewe Alexandra on Saturday. Australian Open semi-finals: Sinner leads Djokovic by two sets to one Champions League draw: Newcastle to face Qarabag; Real to face Mourinho's Benfica Benfica meet Real in play-offs after dramatic league phase encounter What happens to our brains when we're under anesthesia? Voyager’s epic journey into deep space Former Olympian Steve Cram CBE reveals the secrets to running The most improbable hotel makeover of the Hebrides Cages, crushes and stabbings - is European away safety getting worse? How English clubs got smart to dominate this season's Champions League How do Liverpool fix their struggles against low blocks? Sabalenka cruises into final despite hindrance call. Video Sabalenka cruises into final despite hindrance call How an inspiring home video launched a main event fighter 'British elite women's basketball is at a crossroads' Football Daily. Audio Football Daily Bill Belichick: A Super Bowl god's fall from grace 'Barca move gave me confidence I could adapt' Video'Barca move gave me confidence I could adapt' England on course for fifth Champions League spot Bayern legend? How Kane is viewed in Germany as contract talks begin Why England legend Root is so effective in Asia Global brand in an EFL world - Wrexham's £48m cash injection explained What happens next after latest link between heading and brain disease? Who has made Troy's Premier League team of the week? Why did Alcaraz, Sinner & Sabalenka have to remove fitness trackers? Can unfancied Scots be Six Nations contenders? F1 testing begins - but why all the secrecy? Cal-fouri, a lesser-spotted law & Russell v the Shed - Prem talking points 'Another unbelievable result' - but what's different about Man Utd now? Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.