Shanghai SIPG stops ex-Chelsea star’s move to Flamengo

Oscar’s proposed move to Flamengo has hit the rocks  after Shanghai SIPG decided against signing documents allowing the deal to go ahead.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the player had already signed a contract on August 5 – and was even pictured in the Brazilian side’s shirt which left Flamengo to believe there would not be any pitfalls as they prepared an official announcement.

However, less than two weeks after signing a deal to return to his homeland, Oscar, formerly of Chelsea, revealed on Twitter that he was keen to get the move over the line but that it was not possible at that time.

The 30-year-old midfielder sent out a tweet to explain the situation, saying: ‘I appreciate the interest of Flamengo and the fans, but it was not possible to do so at that moment.

‘I wish the club the best of luck and all the friends I have there for the remainder of this season. Thank you all!’

The Brazilian’s move to the Chinese Super League was one which caught the attention of football fans after he traded in a place in a Chelsea side that was on the verge of winning the Premier League, for a move viewed by many to be purely financially driven.

He joined the likes of Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Robinho in making the move to China, but notably was still only 25, whereas the other three were approaching the end of their careers at the top of the game.

Oscar joined the Chinese side in 2017 for £54million, and has gone on to play 173 games, scoring 51 goals and assisting a further 94 winning both the league and Chinese Cup on one occasion.

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Shanghai SIPG can count amongst their previous managers former Tottenham, Chelsea and Zenit St. Petersburg boss Andre Villas-Boas, who managed the club for 12 months between November 2016 and November 2017, and ex-England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson who was at the reins between 2014 and 2016.

Amongst Oscar’s team-mates for several seasons was his compatriot Hulk, who departed for his native Brazil in February 2021 to join Atletico-MG, where he would go on to link up with another former Blue in Diego Costa.