Chelsea midfielder Oscar’s proposed move to Shanghai SIPG has dominated the football headlines in recent days and the story is just not going away.
With just over two weeks until the January window opens, below is the Oscar transfer latest, based on reports from several leading sources.
Seventh most expensive footballer ever
According to BBC Sport, Shanghai SIPG a likely to pay a fee in the region of £60m to secure Oscar’s signature.
Based on The Guardian‘s list of huge-money transfers, a £60m move would make the 25-year-old the seventh most expensive footballer ever, sneaking in ahead of Angel Di Maria, who went for £59.7m when Manchester United plucked him from Real Madrid in 2014.
The deal would be the fifth most expensive transfer involving an English club, after Paul Pogba’s £93.2m move from Juventus to Old Trafford, Gareth Bale’s £86m switch from Spurs to Real, Cristiano Ronaldo’s £80m exit from United and the £75m deal which took Luis Suarez from Liverpool to Barcelona.
“90% certain”
Oscar is reported to have told SporTV in Brazil that he is “90% certain” to leave Chelsea for Shanghai.
“It just depends on a few bureaucratic details,” he added.
But wait…
However, Sky Sports claim that Oscar would rather stay at Stamford Bridge and could yet do just that.
Oscar is out of favour under Antonio Conte and has not started a Premier League game since September, but Sky sources suggest he is willing to remain in London and fight for his place.