Russian Premier League giants FC Zenit Saint Petersburg have submitted a £40 million bid for Chelsea transfer target Hulk, The Mirror understands.
Zenit have also reportedly offered to include Portugal international centre-back Bruno Alves, formerly of FC Porto (1998-2010), as part of the deal. Subsequently, Chelsea are surely set to miss out on Hulk.
The 26-year-old Brazilian bagged 16 goals in the Portuguese Primeira Liga last term, while adding four goals and one assist in six UEFA Champions League starts. Hulk is currently on Olympic duty with Brazil, who are scheduled to play Mexico in the Gold Medal Match at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, 11 August.
Will Hulk move to Zenit Saint Petersburg this summer?
In other news, the Blues are reportedly closing in on Olympique de Marseille right-back Cesar Azpilicueta, according to The Mirror.
Marseille sporting director José Anigo, who played for Les Phocéens from 1979-87, has revealed that Azpilicueta or Cameroonian centre-back Stephane M’Bia could leave the club in order to free up money for new signings.
“Like everyone else, we have to sell before we can buy,” said Anigo.
“That means either Azpilicueta or [centre-back] Stephane M’Bia will have to go. Azpilicueta has the profile to go to a big club.
“Every club must count its money.”
Azpilicueta made 38 appearances (35 starts) in all competitions for Marseille in 2011-12, tallying one goal and two assists.
The former Club Atlético Osasuna defender represented Spain at London 2012, starting La Furia Roja’s match against Morocco.
In addition, Chelsea are nearing the capture of Wigan Athletic winger Victor Moses, who could leave the DW Stadium for a transfer fee of £8.5 million.
PSG confirm Lucas Moura capture
According to ESPN Soccernet, French super club Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed the signing of São Paulo midfielder Lucas Moura.
“Paris St Germain and Sao Paulo FC have reached an agreement for the permanent transfer of Lucas Rodriguez Moura Da Silva,” revealed a statement on PSG’s official website.
“The player and Paris St Germain have signed a contract from January 2013 to June 2017. Lucas will join Paris St Germain and his new team-mates in January 2013 for the second half of the 2012-13 season.
“By signing a young talent of the quality of Lucas Rodriguez Moura Da Silva, Paris Saint-Germain is already preparing the future.”
Les Parisiens quickfire swoop for the Brazilian will cost them a reported fee of €45 million.
The signing of Lucas Moura takes PSG’s list of world-class summer signings to three, with AC Milan duo Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimović having agreed to join the Ligue 1 club earlier this summer.
As a result, it’s safe to say that Paris Saint-Germain are the club to watch in 2012-13.
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