Tottenham transfers: Villas-Boas rules out move for Hulk
Tottenham transfers: Andre Villas-Boas admits Spurs would not be able to afford to prise Hulk away from Zenit this summer
Andre Villas-Boas admits that Tottenham are unlikely to be able to afford to prise Hulk away from Zenit Saint Petersburg this summer.
The Brazilian striker, who joined Zenit from Porto for around £40m last summer and has long been a transfer target of Chelsea, has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months.
The 26-year-old, who worked under Villas-Boas during the Portuguese coach’s spell in charge of Porto, has only managed seven goals since his transfer to Russia last summer.
And although Villas-Boas would clearly be keen to work with the forward again, he admits Spurs are unlikely to be able to afford his wages and transfer fee.
“He was my player [at Porto] and scored 36 goals in one season but it’s impossible he will make a move here because of the wages that he earns,” Villas-Boas is quoted as saying by the Guardian.
“He may have options in the summer but to a club like Tottenham his transfer fee is also impossible.”
Speaking back in March, Hulk admitted his admiration for the English top flight.
“My future? I love the Premier League,” said Hulk, who fell out with Zenit boss Luciano Spalletti back in December.
“The Premier League is a great competition with great clubs. If I have time, I watch the matches on television.”
Tottenham host Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday as they look to keep alive their hopes of a top-four finish.
