Premier League club Chelsea and a host of Serie A clubs are closely monitoring Hulk’s situation at Zenit St. Petersburg.
Hulk has publicly raised his concern over his relationship with the Russian Premier League club’s manager Luciano Spalletti. The Brazilian forward was substituted in the 80th minute of the match against AC Milan in the Champions League and he refused to shake hands with his coach after coming off.
Hulk directed some angry gestures towards Spalletti from the bench, which clearly showed their relationship is past its breaking point.
When Hulk was signed by Zenit at the start of this season, questions were raised about the £40 million transfer fee that the Russian club paid to Porto. The Brazilian has failed to live up to the expectations that the fans had from such a high profile signing as he managed to score only two goals in nine appearances.
Hulk’s astronomical wages has also caused a rift among his team mates. Igor Denisov and Aleksandr Kerzhakov raised their concerns and asked the club to renegotiate their existing contracts. Both these players were later demoted to the youth squad by the management.
After last night’s public display of anger and frustration against Spalletti, Hulk has revealed that he will leave the Russian club if his relationship with the manager doesn’t improve.
Hulk was quoted in Premium Calcio:
“I feel fine in St Petersburg, my family is fine and my son is fine. But if the situation with Luciano Spalletti does not resolve itself, I could leave in January.
I don’t know if Italy would be my destination, but anything can happen.”
Despite Hulk’s desire to leave in January, he cannot join another club before next summer. FIFA doesn’t allow a player to play for three different clubs in a season. Hulk has already made two appearances for Porto before joining Zenit this season, hence he is ineligible to play for another club this season.
Chelsea were heavily linked with the Brazilian forward at the start of this season, but any deal failed to materialize and Zenit came in with a bumper offer which the Portuguese club couldn’t refuse.
But the London club are still in the market for a striker with a host of names being linked with a move to the English club.
Hulk’s transfer fee will be concern for any club interested in him, but his desire to leave the club might see his market value being reduced. Chelsea is keenly monitoring his situation according to Metro for a possible move next season.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
