Recent football transfer rumors are out that Chinese Super League giants Shanghai SIPG FC are targeting Brazilian forward Hulk, who now plays for Russian Premier League side Zenit Saint Petersburg's, as the China top flight squad searches for a replacement to flop striker Asamoah Gyan.

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The 30-year-old Gyan is already on his second season with the Red Eagles, but the club's investment of £227,000 weekly wage, one of the richest in the world right now, for the Ghana national team skipper has not been fruitful so far.

Last season, the Black Stars captain played in only 10 games out of 30 and scored five goals for head coach Sven-Göran Eriksson's side as he was battling recurring thigh and leg injuries. He was not instrumental in SIPG's runner-up finish in 2015 despite the fact that he is the highest-paid player in the roster.

This term, Gyan seems to be headed in the same direction as his injury issues have not ended. He had only played six times in Shanghai's first 11 games, also because of the same lower body problems, and had scored just two goals in the process. As a whole, his performance continues to be a letdown for the club who snagged him from UAE Pro-League club Al Ain FC in the summer of 2015.

In their most recent CSL match, the Red Eagles were fortunate to settle for 1-1 draw with defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande on the road even if Jean Evrard Kouassi is the only available foreign forward for the club.

Elkeson cannot play due to contractual limits while Gyan was again out because of injury, the Shanghai Daily reported.

Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post revealed rumors saying that the Shanghai Stadium residents are targeting Zenit striker Hulk to replace the Ghanaian in their roster moving forward.

The report said Hulk "has been linked with a move to the Chinese Super League and SIPG are one of the teams that have expressed an interest in his signature".

Guangzhou Evergrande said to have offered €30 million for the 29-year-old Brazil international, which was immediately turned down by the Russian club. Speculations abound that SIPG had also made a bid of €91 million that was rejected, too.

It seems like Shanghai will have to break the bank, and the Chinese transfer record, in order to snag the Brazilian to their side.

TagsChina Football, Chinese Super League, Chinese Super League 2016, Shanghai SIPG FC, Zenit Saint Petersburg, Hulk, Asamoah Gyan