Hulk Completes €50m Zenit Move

Chelsea have missed out on long-term target Hulk after the Brazilian striker completed a move to Zenit St Petersburg on Monday.

The powerful forward has been strongly linked with a move to Stamford Bridge over the past 12 months with the player himself admitting he was keen on a move to the Premier League.

A move to the European champions looked a forgone conclusion at one point in the summer but the Blues were unable to reach an agreement with Porto before the British transfer window slammed shut on Friday night and it appeared Hulk would remain in Portugal until at least January.

However, the Russian transfer window remains open and champions Zenit St Petersburg have taken advantage of the lack of competition to snap up one of the most highly-rated strikers in Europe.

Sky Sports News report that the 26-year-old has signed a five-year contract with Zenit paying over €50million (£39.6m) for the player.

Hulk has been a huge success at Porto since making the move in 2008, scoring an incredible (excuse the pun) 134 goals in just 157 games for the club.

Just last week Porto president Pinto da Costa claimed the club had rejected an offer worth around €50m from Zenit for the striker, but it appears the two clubs have now been able to agree a deal after the Russians confirmed the news on their official website on Monday evening.

Read more Chelsea transfer news

Are Chelsea fans gutted to miss out on Hulk? Get involved in the comments section.

Fancy a flutter on the game? Claim your £10 welcome bonus at Sky Bet and enjoy some of the best match odds in the business.