Chelsea have reopened talks with Porto over their long standing interest in forward Hulk.

The Stamford Bridge club have used the Champions League trip to Portugal to hold further talks with Benfica’s bitter rivals with a view to agreeing a fee for the Brazil player.

Sportsmail reported earlier this month how both clubs were in advanced discussions over a big money summer move for Hulk — who has an £85million release clause written into his contract.

Target: Will Chelsea get their man?

Agreeing a fee for the forward is the main stumbling block towards a deal, with Chelsea unwilling to activate the hefty release clause.

But it is understood there is now a willingness from Porto to strike a deal that will see the star leave in the summer.

However, the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas has cast a shadow over a deal that looked a near certainty a few weeks ago.

There remains a willingness from Chelsea to complete a swoop for Hulk, who had agreed to make the move to west London this summer before Villas-Boas’ departure. But it is now unclear whether the 25-year-old is still keen on moving without Villas-Boas — with whom he worked at Porto — at the helm.