Brazilian winger Hulk. (Photo : Getty Images)
Chinese Super League team Shanghai Greenland Shenhua FC has reportedly offered £70 million for the services of Brazilian winger Givanildo Vieira de Sousa, also known as Hulk, as China clubs continue their raid of world-class Brazilian talents this transfer window
Tribal Football reported, citing Russian media outlet Izvestia, that the Greenland Group-owned Chinese squad is "willing to spend £69.9 million (€91 million) to get their man".
The 29-year-old forward is just one of the many Brazilians being lured by wealthy Chinese teams during the Far East nation's winter transfer window, which is set to close on Feb. 27, as the clubs make efforts in supporting president Xi Jinping's vision of making the country one of the world powers in the spot.
Brazilian midfielder Ramires recently broke the Chinese transfer record when he was snagged by Jiangsu Suning FC from English Premier League champions Chelsea FC late last month for a staggering £25 million.
However, Jiangsu and the Barra do Piraí, Brazil native's hold of the record was short-lived as five-time CSL winners Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC bought Colombia international Jackson Martinez from Italian Serie A club Atletico Madrid for £32 million last week.
Another Brazilian, 26-year-old Alex Teixeira, broke the Chinese record anew when he was signed by Jiangsu Suning from Ukrainian team FC Shakhtar Donetsk last Friday for a transfer fee of £38.4 million.
Those three record-breaking Chinese transfers were said to be larger than the £18.3 million spent by Stoke City FC in the same transfer period, which is reportedly that largest signing in the Premier League this January.
Hulk and Shanghai Shenhua is set to break the Chinese transfer record once again by almost twice the amount if the Blue Devils' move on the Campina Grande, Brazil native pushes through.
The Brazil international is currently playing for Russian Premier League side FC Zenit Saint Petersburg, who he helped lead to the Russian domestic title in 2014-2015 and to the upcoming 2015-2016 Champions League quarterfinals knockout match against SL Benfica on Feb. 16, as per Goal.
Hulk joined Zenit in September 2012 from FC Porto for a fee of £40 million. In his so far four seasons with the club, he had played 132 games in all competitions and scored 65 times in the process.
