MOSCOW, August 27 (R-Sport) – The coach at Russia’s Zenit St Petersburg football team on Tuesday denied reports that star striker, Hulk, is for sale and set to leave.
Hulk missed Zenit's last two matches, and reports were circulating in the Russian media that he might leave the St. Petersburg team before the September 2 transfer window is up.
Reports linked Hulk to Monaco, Chelsea and most recently Tottenham, which is reportedly eager to snap up the striker after Spurs missed out on the Anzhi Makhachkala forward Willian sweepstakes.
Zenit’s coach, Luciano Spalletti, however, explained that Hulk has been out of the action due to a thigh injury he suffered during a match with Anzhi on August 17.
“Hulk is not for sale,” Spalletti said. “He's recovering quickly, but we don't know the exact date of his return."
Hulk, 27, joined Zenit from Porto in September and scored 11 goals in 30 games last season.
In December, he threatened to leave after arguments with his teammates and accusing Spalletti of substituting him too often. Hulk later said he had “messed up” by making the threat.
Spalletti also denied Russian media reports that Benfica striker Oscar Cardozo was set to join the Russian Premier League side.
Updated with changes to the headline at 20:19
