Chelsea Face Battle in Brazil Striker Pursuit

Chelsea face a fight to sign Porto striker Hulk, after the Brazilian suggested he would favour a move to Spain if he decides to leave in the summer.

The 25-year-old forward has been heavily linked with a move abroad in recent months, after former Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas admitted that he would consider a move for Hulk in the future.

However, Villas-Boas' dismissal from the Chelsea job on Sunday has thrown any move for Hulk in doubt and the forward has dropped his strongest hint yet that he would prefer to play in La Liga next season.

"Although I love FC Porto, I would [love] to play for a top quality team like Barcelona or Real Madrid," he told Fut! Magazine - via Sky Sports.

"Back when I was in Japan I had to choose between Atletico Madrid and FC Porto but I chose Porto because I had the dream of playing there and because adapting to Portugal would be easier," he added.

Meanwhile, Football Association chairman David Bernstein has confirmed that the vacant Chelsea manager's role will not affect the search for Fabio Capello's replacement.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, Barcelona chief Pep Guardiola and former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho have been linked with both positions but Bernstein insists their search will not be hindered by events elsewhere in the Premier League.

"It [the England job] is a very fluid situation, I am not sure if [other clubs searching for managers] helps or hinders. It depends on how the cards fall," Bernstein is quoted on Eurosport.