Chelsea Transfer Rumour: Blues Face Competition for Brazilian Striker

Brazilian forward Hulk's agent claims Chelsea are not the only team after the player's signature during the forthcoming transfer window. An earlier IBTimes UK report suggested the Champions League winners were very close to signing the 25 year old FC Porto player who has left the matter in the hands of his agent, Teodoro Fonseca, while he concentrates on the 2012 London Olympics. His agent has now denied the rumour indicating a deal has been agreed between the Blues and his client.

"The Blues [Chelsea] are not the only European club interested and at the moment it all depends on Porto," said Fonseca, according to a report on Goal.com.

"I am in permanent contact with president Pinto Da Costa but there have been no advances on this subject. The club want him to stay and we have received the offer of a new deal," the Independent quoted Fonseca as saying, hinting that despite interest from Chelsea and other clubs his client could be continue at the Estadio do Dragao.

"If Hulk stays in Porto then there is no problem as he is happy in Porto. He has had three years of interest from big European clubs and he still plays in Portugal," he said, according to a Sky Sports report.

Meanwhile, Chelsea seem to be keeping their options open as Blues' scouts reportedly watched Venezuelan striker Jose Salomon Rondon in action against Chile last week, according to a Daily Mail report.

The 22 year old Malaga player, who has a price tag of £20mn, is wanted by as a replacement for Ivorian striker Didier Drogba. The Venezuelan scored 11 goals from 37 La Liga appearances this season and is also on the radar of other Premier League clubs, including Arsenal and Newcastle. However, Rondon's £20mn price tag could be too much for these clubs. Chelsea themselves, it is understood, will pay only £10mn.

The striker transferred to Malaga from Las Palmas in 2010 and does have the necessary qualities to play in England but would have, no doubt, preferred a better performance for the scouts to report on; Venezuela lost 0-2 at home.