Chelsea have reopened talks with Porto over their long standing interest in forward Hulk.
- By Samy Mokbel and Dominic King
The Stamford Bridge club have used the Champions League trip to Portugal to hold further talks with Benfica’s bitter rivals with a view to agreeing a fee for the Brazil player.
Sportsmail reported earlier this month how both clubs were in advanced discussions over a big money summer move for Hulk — who has an £85million release clause written into his contract.
Agreeing a fee for the forward is the main stumbling block towards a deal, with Chelsea unwilling to activate the hefty release clause.
But it is understood there is now a willingness from Porto to strike a deal that will see the star leave in the summer.
However, the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas has cast a shadow over a deal that looked a near certainty a few weeks ago.
There remains a willingness from Chelsea to complete a swoop for Hulk, who had agreed to make the move to west London this summer before Villas-Boas’ departure. But it is now unclear whether the 25-year-old is still keen on moving without Villas-Boas — with whom he worked at Porto — at the helm.
