Chelsea close to signging Porto striker Hulk

Chelsea are closing in on a £40 million deal to sign Porto striker Hulk as sources claimed last night that the transfer was "90%" complete.

There was some confusion over the fee that the Portuguese club would accept, however, with officials insisting they still wanted £60 million - which Chelsea will not pay. Personal terms are understood to have been agreed already, however, and although Porto have denied that they are close to an agreement, it appears the transfer is nearing completion.

Porto have accepted they cannot demand that the euros 100 million (£80 million) release clause in Hulk's contract is met and are open to negotiation, especially as the 25-year-old Brazilian is desperate to leave. Hulk - full name Givanildo Vieira de Souze - scored 21 goals in 38 appearances last season as he helped guide Porto to the Portuguese league title. Hulk can play on the right of an attacking trio, or through the middle.

Chelsea have already signed playmaker Eden Hazard for £34 million and Marko Marin for £6.5 million. They have made inquiries after several big names, including Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain and Atletico Madrid's Radamel Falcao, although neither would want to be a second-choice striker.

Chelsea could bid for a younger striker such as Bayer Leverkusen's Andre Schurrle and an inquiry has already been made about the 21 year-old's availability.