On the Silk Road – Hulk Moves to Shanghai SIPG

On the Silk Road – Hulk Moves to Shanghai SIPG

Manuel Veth –

It was bound to happen. Zenit Saint Petersburg’s Brazilian winger, Hulk, is going to move to the Chinese Super League club Shanghai SIPG for €55 million. The Russian paper Sport-Express stated that the deal also includes several bonuses that could see the figure grow even higher.

The transaction, which has already been confirmed by a Zenit spokesperson, will not only end a transfer saga that started as far back as January when Hulk was first offered several big contracts from Chinese clubs, but will also be the most expensive transfer in Russian football history (the list of the most expensive transfers can be found here).

In February Zenit Rejected an Offer From China

As Futbolgrad reported on February 1, Zenit had received an offer in the region of €30 million for Hulk—reportedly Hulk would have earned €20 million a year—yet Zenit, fuelled by the gas giant, Gazprom, was able to resist the offer from China.

In March, the Russian sports paper Sport-Express spoke with Zenit’s general director, Maksim Mitrofanov, about the transfer dealings of Chinese clubs. When asked whether Zenit had received an official offer, Mitrofanov answered, “Yes we did [receive an offer], of €30 million. We received the proposal on the last day of the [European] transfer window. Our response was: ‘Thank you, but no.’ Things aren’t done this way.”

Hulk has been one of the brightest talents to ever play in Russia - Image by Tânia Rêgo/ABr

Hulk has been one of the brightest talents to ever play in Russia – Image by Tânia Rêgo/ABr

To a question about the salary offer of €20 million, Mitrofanov responded, “Here is my answer to this: the colleagues in the Chinese market do not handle this correctly, as they try to get into players heads by offering huge sums. This tactic is used by them.” Mitrofanov further explained that Chinese clubs often approach players without speaking to the clubs first. “A man who does not have a direct relationship to the club comes in and says, ‘Hey friend…’ and draws a huge figure on a piece of paper. After that, players start to think. The approach must be understood of course.”

Finally, Mitrofanov explained that Zenit had tried to convince Hulk not to leave the club. “I don’t want to comment on the details, but we had a sit down, and talked with Hulk about the situation. We understand that this is difficult to live with.”

Europe Needs to Reconsider Financial Fair Play

Mitrofanov believed that Financial Fair Play, in particular, put Russian clubs at a big disadvantage, especially because there were almost no regulations in the Chinese transfer market in terms of Financial Fair Play.

Mitrofanov furthermore stated: “Currently, UEFA, undoubtedly, is the leading market in world football. But some players have already left and, in the future, there may be more. Thanks to these players, the level and attractiveness of China’s championship can grow, and might, therefore, no longer just attract second and third tier players, and players who are close to retirement, but also stars in their prime. Hence, our argument is that Financial Fair Play must be adapted, and should no longer destroy clubs.”

Although Zenit promised that they would fight hard to retain Hulk at the club, it now appears that Zenit and Gazprom had to give in and allow Hulk to leave. Yet the €55 million they earned from the deal could help the club bring in fresh blood, and once again challenge for a place at the Champions League.

Last season, Zenit finished in third place in the Russian Football Premier League, which meant that they lost out on a vital UEFA Champions League spot—although UEFA could still provide a backdoor into the competition by banning FC Rostov for breaking Financial Fair Play regulations.

Is Lucescu Sacrificing Hulk?

Former coach, André Villas-Boas, who announced early last season that he would leave the club, has been replaced with Shakhtar Donetsk’s head coach, Mircea Lucescu. Lucescu is known for his fondness for Brazilian players and, therefore, at first glance, it is surprising that he likely agreed to this deal.

Furthermore, during the Copa America Centenario in the United States, Hulk told the media that he was happy playing in Saint Petersburg.

As reported by Futbolgrad on May 30, 2016, Lucescu has been interested in bringing in both Marlos and Taison from his former club Shakhtar Donetsk. At the same time, however, the 6+5 rule, which forces clubs to field at least five players that can play for the Russian national team, means that Lucescu will have to make room in the current Zenit squad to bring in new players. Hulk’s departure provides, not only a free foreign player spot in the line-up, but also the necessary cash to bring in new players who can play Lucescu’s preferred system.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_3410840035&feature=iv&src_vid=ZI_u8txy2fo&v=2OE5r4xHDxo

Yet, despite the fact that this was a logical deal for Zenit and Lucescu, Hulk will be greatly missed in the RFPL. There is no doubt that the Brazilian was the best player in the RFPL in the last few years, and he might even go down as the most talented player to have ever played in post-Soviet Russia.

In terms of marketing, Zenit, and Russian football in general, now have a gigantic hole to fill, now that the country is losing its biggest football star. It will be interesting to see whether Gazprom will now open its cheque books in order to bring in new attractions who will further promote the Gazprom football brand.

Will Chinese Money Damage Brazilian Football?

As for Hulk, he is now the latest high profile Brazilian to join the Chinese Super League which, despite its spending power, still lacks the competitive edge of a top ten European league. Chinese clubs are restricted to four foreigners (plus one Asian player) per squad, and local Chinese players are not competitive—yet.

Brazil recently crashed and burned out of the Copa America Centenario with a squad that was labelled by many as the worst team in Brazilian history. The team included two players from the Chinese Super League—Gil (Shandong Luneng Taishan) and Renato Augusto (Beijing Guon), and with China especially targeting Brazilian players, who are often willing to make the move, the level of the Seleção could drop even further in the near future.

Manuel Veth is a freelance journalist, and holder of a Doctorate of Philosophy in History from King’s College London. His thesis is titled: “Selling the People’s Game: Football’s transition from Communism to Capitalism in the Soviet Union and its Successor States”, and will be available soon. Originally from Munich, Manuel has lived in Amsterdam, Kyiv, Moscow, Tbilisi, London, and currently is located in Victoria BC, Canada.  Follow Manuel on Twitter @homosovieticus

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