Chelsea player of the year Willian has confirmed that Oscar is on the brink of moving to Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG, report ESPN.
ESPN quizzed Willian about his teammate’s impending move to China, and he revealed that Oscar has already said his goodbyes: “”[Oscar] has already said goodbye. He’s a good friend and a great player.”
At just 25-years-old, it seems strange that Oscar would be so willing to call time on his top-level playing days in search of a healthier bank balance. Willian helped ESPN apply some logic to the move: “I wish him and his family all the best. A footballer’s career can be quick, and when an offer like this comes in you have to think of your family. You want to be prepared for when you have to stop playing.”
Oscar has made 202 appearances for the Blues since moving to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2012. During that period he has lifted the League Cup, Europa League and Premier League – as well as scoring 38 goals.
Under the management of Antonio Conte, he has fast fallen out of favour. The Brazilian finds himself behind N’Golo Kante, Nemanja Matic, Cesc Fabregas and Nathaniel Chalobah in the competition for places in the middle of the park. ESPN report that the offer Shanghai have had accepted for Oscar is worth up to £60 million and thus impossible for Chelsea to turn down. They note that it will be a new record transfer fee received by the Blues for one of their players.
Oscar’s exit from Chelsea appears to be edging closer.