Shanghai SIPG striker Hulk admitted that Chelsea was interested in his services, but that he had no idea until after the fact.
The Brazilian, now 33, has spent the past four years in China after an equally long period at Zenit St. Petersburg. After enjoying domestic success in Russia, Hulk celebrated the end of Guangzhou Evergrande’s monopoly of the Chinese Super League in 2018.
His € 60m transfer to Zenit in 2012 was a surprise after he established himself as one of the hottest properties in Europe in Porto – but Hulk claims that a move to the Premier League was never really accomplished.
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“In my first season at Porto, I started well and I remember hearing about Manchester United, but I never received anything concrete,” he admits in July 2020 issue of FFT – a Brazil special in stores now available for order online with free delivery.
“At the time, I was too young and I was leaving those things to allow others to solve, so I couldn’t know what offers came. Only after signing for Zenit was I told Chelsea was interested, but I can’t tell you how serious they were.
“Of course, it was a little strange not to hear any news of a potential transfer, because you always see Portuguese league players going to teams like Barcelona and Real Madrid, and even the Premier League. I had also been Portugal’s best player in three different seasons. “
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