Former Chelsea star Oscar 'trapped in China' after dream move is blocked
Former Chelsea midfielder Oscar is reportedly "trapped in China" after his club Shanghai Port FC blocked his dream transfer back to Brazil.
Oscar has been playing in the Far East since January 2017, when he was one of many big-name players lured by the mega riches of the Chinese Super League.
Hulk, Renato Augusto, Carlos Tevez, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Axel Witsel and Paulinho are just some of the stars who went over to play in the CSL.
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Five-and-a-half-years on and Oscar, after completing a £60 million switch at the age of 25, has made more than £100 million in China and notched 51 goals in all competitions.
He also won the league in 2018 but was set to move to Flamengo. Oscar had even posed in the club's kit and was awaiting the final details to make the move, where he would be reunited with compatriots David Luiz and Filipe Luis.
This pic ‘leaked’ is true: here’s Oscar wearing Flamengo shirt, now waiting for final details to be resolved with Shanghai SIPG. Green light expected soon for the deal to be completed. 🚨🔴⚫️ #Flamengo
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 1, 2022
…and despite the denials, Oscar is really close to join Flamengo. pic.twitter.com/B3ZG2XLzMc
As per The Mirror, Oscar agreed terms with Flamengo and headed back to his native Brazil - having been permission to do so for personal reasons.
But his club, who were previously known as Shanghai SIPG, did not approve of the deal and refused to sign the necessary paperwork.
Even a loan deal was not permitted and so Oscar, despite wanting a fresh challenge, has been left in limbo.
Fala galera!
— Oscar (@oscar8) August 16, 2022
Queria agradecer a todos pelo carinho e mensagens recebidas nesse último mês, principalmente de todos os torcedores do Flamengo.
"I would like to thank everyone for the affection and messages received in the last month, especially from all Flamengo fans," Oscar wrote on social media.
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 rest of this season. Thank you all!"
Agradeço o interesse do Flamengo e da torcida, mas não foi possível concretizar nesse momento.
— Oscar (@oscar8) August 16, 2022
Desejo muita sorte ao clube e a todos os amigos que tenho por lá no restante dessa temporada.
Obrigado a todos! Tmj 👊🏼⚽️
When he made the move to China, Oscar received a whole lot of criticism for his decision, which many deemed to be motivated by money.
His own manager at the time, Antonio Conte didn't mince his words when he said "before the money must be the passion".
But Oscar, who was linked with a move to Barcelona not that long ago, defended his move and says the offer was one he could not refuse.
"Every football player, or every person who works, wants to earn money to help their families," Oscar said, as per The Guardian.
"I came from a social background in Brazil that is very poor. We didn’t have anything. This is the fruit of my work and when I earn this, it is because I conquered it. The same way I came here, I will be able to return to Europe. Whatever decision I make, somebody will talk good or bad about it.
"All the foreign players who come here are at a really high level. China has incredible financial power and sometimes makes offers that players can’t refuse. But, as we’ve seen with Paulinho moving to Barcelona, the players on our team – like myself, Hulk and Elkeson – have enough quality to return to Europe."
Topics: Chinese Super League, Chelsea, Brazil
Josh Lawless