There was some confusion over the fee that the
Portuguese club would accept, however, with officials claiming they
still want £60 million – which Chelsea will not pay.
Personal terms are understood to have been agreed already,
however, and although Porto are denying that they are close to an
agreement, it appears that the transfer is moving closer.
Porto have accepted that they cannot demand the €100 million
(£80 million) release clause in Hulk’s contract is met and are open
to negotiations especially as the 25-year-old Brazilian
international has made it clear that he is desperate to leave.
Hulk — full name Givanildo Vieira de Souze – scored 21 goals in
38 appearances last season as he helped guide Porto to their second
successive league title.
Hulk can play on the right of an attacking trio, or through the
middle, with Chelsea having already signed Eden Hazard for £34
million, along with £6.5 million Marko Marin as Abramovich
overhauls his squad.
The billionaire is determined to add much-needed creativity to
the squad.
They have made an inquiry for several ‘big names’, including
Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuaín and Atletico Madrid’s Radomel Falcao,
although neither would want to be second-choice.
It would appear more likely that Chelsea could bid for a younger
striker such as Bayer Leverkusen’s Andre Schurrle. An inquiry has
been made for the German international.