Hulk- Zenit St Petersburg
Many expected Hulk to sign for a top European team last summer, when it was expected that he would leave FC Porto. However, the Brazilian surprised everyone and move to Russian club Zenit St Petersburg for £35 million. Hulk’s time in Russia hasn’t been particularly happy however and the striker now wants to leave Zenit after only one season with them. Reports suggest that the striker has failed to settle in his new country and wants to move to one of Europe’s top teams. A move to Chelsea is a real possibility, especially if the Blues do miss out on Wayne Rooney. Hulk is known to be one of the most physical forwards in world football and this physicality will certainly appeal to Jose Mourinho, who needs a striker with strength to lead the line for the Blues next season. Hulk would love the opportunity of working with Mourinho at Stamford Bridge and wants to be playing for a top club so that he can be a part of Brazil’s squad for next summers World Cup.
The striker admitted earlier in the summer that he has already held talks with Chelsea ahead of a possible move to Stamford Bridge. However, talks are thought to have stopped while the Blues chase Wayne Rooney. Chelsea will certainly consider re-starting talks with Hulk if a deal for Rooney fails to materialise but the striker will almost certainly not come cheap. Zenit don’t want to let go of one of their best players and if they do have to sell, they will only consider bids of around £50 million. The club want to make a sizeable profit on a player that they only signed a year ago but Chelsea are unlikely to pay anywhere near that. It may come down to how much Hulk wants to leave Zenit. If he causes a fuss at the club, they may well have to sell him for a reduced price. Hulk would probably be Chelsea’s best alternative if Manchester United continue to state that they won’t sell Wayne Rooney.