There have been times this summer where it has appeared as though Hulk is all but certain to arrive at Stamford Bridge. However, events through recent weeks appear to have thrown the move into jeopardy, and Hulk’s most recent comments don’t exactly provide confidence that the transfer is going to go ahead.
There have been rumours surrounding a potential Hulk transfer for some time now, with the Porto striker supposedly keen on a move to the Blues. However, over recent weeks it has to be said that the rumour mill has gone much quieter and Hulk is now indicating that he is not forced to leave Portugal this summer.
He told Globo Esporte, “I’m not obsessed to leave Porto. I like the Portuguese fans a lot and I have always done the right thing regarding that club. Now if the negotiations advance and some European club reach an agreement with Porto, I’ll leave. I honestly don’t know about my future. I only know that other clubs besides those two [Chelsea and PSG] are interested in signing me.”
It is also worth mentioning that most of the reports linking Hulk with a move to Chelsea came prior to Roberto Di Matteo’s appointment. While it would be unlikely for RDM to veto a move for such a talent, there could be the chance that he would simply prefer to pursue his own targets.
There is also the other situation, which is being widely reported in the press, that Chelsea are simply unwilling to match the huge valuation that has been slapped onto Hulk by his parent club. Even though Porto are well within their rights to ask for €100m in accordance with the clause in the striker’s contract, it’s thought that they are seeking a figure closer to €40m. With the Blues seemingly valuing the Brazilian at an even lower figure, it remains to be seen how this transfer turns out.