Chelsea Transfer News: Hulk Has AVB's Interest, Other Porto Stars Set for Reunion with Boss?

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has admitted that he would be interested in bringing Porto star Hulk to the club.

Villas-Boas, who worked with Hulk during his time in charge of the Portuguese champions, revealed that he thought the Brazilian could fill an important role at Chelsea.

We have [Salomon] Kalou and [Florent] Malouda, both of whom are nearing the end of their contracts, while Juan Mata and Daniel Sturridge are the future, he told TSF, according to Yahoo Sports.

As such, there will surely be a place to fill and I see room for an explosive player on the wing, someone who is strong in one-on-one situations and Hulk fits that profile.

The 25-year-old can operate either as a main striker or out wide, both areas in which Chelsea are currently deficient. Fernando Torres still remains no closer to rediscovering his form, while Didier Drogba's days as a top striker are limited. On the flanks, Mata has done a good job on the left this season, but he has looked more effective when playing in the middle. It could be that Hulk's arrival would allow that to happen.

Hulk has scored 11 times this season after bursting to prominence last campaign with a haul of 36 goals.

Villas-Boas was also asked about Hulk's Porto team mates Joao Moutinho and Alvaro Perreira, who have also been linked to a reunion with the Portuguese manager since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.

They could surely play in the Premier League and at Chelsea, he said.

Chelsea's much-criticized boss was speaking after he had sat next to Porto president Pinto da Costa during the Portuguese Liga leaders' 4-0 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium last week.

I was very proud to be invited by Pinto da Costa to sit next to him, he remarked.

Returning to Porto will always be a huge source of pride, but right now I am completely motivated with my work at Chelsea.

Unless results improve at Chelsea, Villas-Boas could be angling for a return to Porto sooner than he had hoped. The Londoners face a crucial second leg against Napoli in two weeks time, looking to overturn a 3-1 deficit to avoid elimination from the Champions League.