Brexit rules have ended hopes of Hulk’s Premier League move

The Brazilian veteran will not be getting a Premier League swansong

Any faint hopes of seeing Brazilian striker Hulk in the Premier League appear to have been dealt a substantial blow by new Brexit rules. The former Porto and Zenit St Petersburg forward has spent the last four years earning an eye-wateringly high wage packet in the Chinese Super League with Shanghai SIPG, but becomes a free agent next month. Now 34, there has been speculation that he might be viewed as an ideal short-term solution at Wolves as Raul Jimenez recovers from a fractured skull. However, as reported by The Athletic, potential new Premier League signings from abroad will need to meet specific criteria from January 1 onwards. This factors in recent international experience and the quality of the league from which they are arriving. With no Brazil appearances to his name in four years and the fact China's Super League is deemed a vastly inferior league when compared to some of its European counterparts, Hulk will not meet the new criteria. Hulk was reportedly offered to Wolves and the club did briefly explore the possibility. However, having quickly realised he would be ineligible, the club moved on to looking at other options. Fabio Silva started up front for the club during their weekend defeat to Aston Villa, but Wolves are thought to be eyeing the addition of a more experienced striker to lighten the load on the teenager's shoulders until Jimenez is ready to return. Though no further names have been mentioned, the same report by The Athletic adds they are considering both permanent and loan striker options ahead of the January window.