Hulk indeed made a move from FC Porto, but not to long-term admirers Chelsea, with the Brazilian striker agreeing a deal with Zenit St Petersburg after the Russian club agreed a massive €50 million (£39.6 million, $63 million) fee. Zenit also bought another highly-rated player from Portugal -- Belgian international Axel Witsel from Benfica, for €40 million (£31.7 million, $50.3 million), taking their one-day spending to a staggering €90 million.
Chelsea also confirmed the sale of Raul Meireles to Fenerbahce, for a fee believed to be in the region of £8 million ($12.7 million).
But the talk of Monday night was the double signing of Hulk and Witsel, who have signed five year deals at Zenit. Porto had last week claimed they had rejected a €50 million offer from Zenit, but it looks like they have decided to accept the bid after Hulk reportedly made his intentions clear about leaving the club.
Backed by rich owners, money has never been too much of an issue for last year's Russian league champions, and manager Luciano Spalletti will now look to make an impact in the Champions League with his two new signings in tow.
Even though the transfer window closed in England Friday, the Russian window is open this week, allowing the players to make their moves.
Hulk had been the subject of a move to Chelsea all summer, with the Blues refusing to meet Porto's asking price and also being put off by third-party ownership issues. Hulk, had several times hinted about his preference to move to Stamford Bridge, saying the English Premier League was the perfect platform for him to shine and impress the Brazilian coach, ahead of the World Cup in 2014.
However, despite all that, a deal could not be agreed, leaving Hulk with the option to stay at Porto for another year or move to Zenit, who were the only other club seriously interested in signing the striker.
Meanwhile, Chelsea announced the departure of midfielder Meireles to Turkish club Fenerbahce. The Turkish window, like the Russian one, was still open allowing the Portuguese international to make his move away from London.
"Raul Meireles has today (Monday) joined Fenerbahce on a permanent transfer," a statement on the club's official website said.
"The move was completed before the close of the Turkish transfer window later this week.
"Chelsea Football Club thanks Raul for the part he played in such an historic and successful year, and wishes him well at his new club."
Meireles only spent one year at Stamford Bridge after making a late move from Liverpool last August.
