Villas-Boas will be “very proud” if hulk returns to Porto

Shanghai SIPG’s Brazilian forward is rumored to return to Estadio do Dragao in 2021 after suggesting he won’t renew his contract with the Chinese side in a social media post.

Before leaving Porto for Zenit in 2012 with a €60million deal, Hulk won the 2010-11 Europa League and other 10 trophies with Porto. Four years later, he moved to the Chinese Super League where he won the league title and FA Super Cup.

Villas-Boas, who has coached Hulk at Porto, Zenit, and Shanghai SIPG, admits he would celebrate if the 34 years old forward returned to Portugal.

"

I worked with him at three different clubs  just want Hulk to choose freely.

” He said.

"

If he chooses Porto and Porto want it, it will probably be the last club of his career, and it will be something that makes us, Porto fans, very proud."

Marseille will face Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday, Villas-Boas knows a victory against his former side is essential for his side if they want to have a chance at reaching the last 16. They are bottom of Group C after losing their last three games to Manchester City, Olympiacos, and Porto, without scoring a goal.

Although the previous game of the two sides was an easy 3-0 home victory for Porto, Porto’s head coach, Sergio Conceicao, is cautious of underestimating their opponents.

"

There are six competitive, very difficult games, and this one is no exception,

" he said.

"

We have to look not only at the path [to qualify] but at the quality of them and their coach.

“

I'm not lowering our expectations, which are to go there and win, but nothing is decided.

"