Chelsea’s signing of Porto star Hulk seemed like a formality after it emerged Porto were willing to accept bids in the region of £38m as apposed to his £80m release clause.

However, talks seem to have stalled in recent weeks and now the Mail are reporting Porto are digging in their heels as they are desperate to hang onto their star striker.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich wants to make Hulk the clubs third signing of the new Chelsea revamp following the acquistion of Eden Hazard and Marko Marin.

Chelsea are prepared to meet the £38m asking price and Hulk has told Porto he wants to join the Chelsea revolution this summer in an attempt to force through a move but Porto are playing hardball and feel Hulk would still be happy to stay in Portugal.

According to the players’ representative Teodoro Fonseca Chelsea are not the only ‘big’ European club interested in his Brazilian client:

“The Blues [Chelsea] are not the only European club interested and at the moment it all depends on Porto,’ Fonseca told Record. I am in permanent contact with president Pinto Da Costa but there have been no advances on this subject. The club want him to stay and we have received the offer of a new deal. If Hulk stays in Porto then there is no problem as he is happy in Porto. He has had three years of interest from big European clubs and he still plays in Portugal”.

Chelsea see Hulk as the ideal candidate to go someway to replacing Didier Drogba, or though a place on the right hand side of the Chelsea attack seems more likely. Judging by the formation Roberto Di Matteo and by the players they have signed Chelsea dream of a front four of Hazard, Mata, Hulk and Torres.

When Chelsea met Porto’s asking price instantly this seems Porto have considered trying to get more for their star asset. As Chelsea were happy to pay £38m Porto are probably testing the waters and seeing how far they can push the famous Abramovich cheque book.

The reported interest from other clubs is a scare tactic clubs and agents use to get the best deal for a player i.e. transfer fee and wages. This seems like a lot of games from Porto and I see Hulk playing a Stamford Bridge next season.



