csl china - Shanghai SIPG targets Zenit's Hulk as replacement for flop striker Asamoah Gyan

By Cristian Andal |

Shanghai SIPG is targeting Brazilian forward Hulk as the CSL squad searches for a replacement to flop striker Asamoah Gyan.(Photo : Getty Images)

Recent football transfer rumors are out that Chinese Super League giants Shanghai SIPG FC are targeting Brazilian forward Hulk, who now plays for Russian Premier League side Zenit Saint Petersburg's, as the China top flight squad searches for a replacement to flop striker Asamoah Gyan.

The 30-year-old Gyan is already on his second season with the Red Eagles, but the club's investment of £227,000 weekly wage, one of the richest in the world right now, for the Ghana national team skipper has not been fruitful so far.

Last season, the Black Stars captain played in only 10 games out of 30 and scored five goals for head coach Sven-Göran Eriksson's side as he was battling recurring thigh and leg injuries. He was not instrumental in SIPG's runner-up finish in 2015 despite the fact that he is the highest-paid player in the roster.

This term, Gyan seems to be headed in the same direction as his injury issues have not ended. He had only played six times in Shanghai's first 11 games, also because of the same lower body problems, and had scored just two goals in the process. As a whole, his performance continues to be a letdown for the club who snagged him from UAE Pro-League club Al Ain FC in the summer of 2015.

In their most recent CSL match, the Red Eagles were fortunate to settle for 1-1 draw with defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande on the road even if Jean Evrard Kouassi is the only available foreign forward for the club.

Elkeson cannot play due to contractual limits while Gyan was again out because of injury, the Shanghai Daily reported.

Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post revealed rumors saying that the Shanghai Stadium residents are targeting Zenit striker Hulk to replace the Ghanaian in their roster moving forward.

The report said Hulk "has been linked with a move to the Chinese Super League and SIPG are one of the teams that have expressed an interest in his signature".

Guangzhou Evergrande said to have offered €30 million for the 29-year-old Brazil international, which was immediately turned down by the Russian club. Speculations abound that SIPG had also made a bid of €91 million that was rejected, too.

It seems like Shanghai will have to break the bank, and the Chinese transfer record, in order to snag the Brazilian to their side.

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Tim Cahill scores in Hangzhou's 1-1 draw with Jiangsu Suning, still uncertain of Greentown return next season

Australian import Tim Cahill scored his third goal of the 2016 Chinese Super League season as Hangzhou Greentown FC forced a 1-1 draw against powerhouse squad Jiangsu Suning FC on the road at the Nanjing Olympic Sports Center last Saturday.

Jiangsu's Brazilian striker Jô netted the opening goal of the contest at the 27th minute off an assist from defender Li Ang to give the hosts the upperhand at the half, 1-0, as per Soccerway.

Head coach Dan Petrescu's boys looked headed to snap their two-game winless slide with time running out in the game, but Cahill was there to Hangzhou's rescue, pulling off a close range header from a pass by local midfielder Feng Gang two minutes before full time.

The tie was the second in three games for manager Hong Myung-bo's squad and their eighth consecutive winless performance, settling them at the 12th spot of the 16-team CSL table.

Meanwhile, Jiangsu dropped to third place in the overall standings with their third straight winless game as newcomer Hebei China Fortune overtook them for second place behind defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande.

Cahill was just acquired by the Green Giants before the start of the current term after his former CSL club, Shanghai Greenland Shenhua FC, terminated his contract during the winter.

The 36-year-old Australia national team standout is also under a contract negotiation process with Hangzhou as he is said to be choosing between staying in China or going back home to play in Australia's A-League next season.

Three Australian top flight teams are allegedly luring Cahill to join them, but still he is keeping his options open.

Meanwhile, Hangzhou is also not decided yet whether they want to keep the Sydney native for next season or let him go as a free agent, Xinhuanet reported.

The team's vice general manager, Wu Shaokui, said on Monday that senior officials are still looking at all the aspects of Cahill's contract and presence with the squad before they go into a conclusion.

"We haven't decided yet. We need to consider every aspect," said Shaokui.