While the Saudi Arabian league is glittering with the aura of gold, the Chinese Super League seems to have passed its glory days. Oscar's contract with Shanghai Seaport is about to expire as the last superstar of the Chinese Super League is about to say goodbye. Under the strict salary control in the new season, the possibility of Oscar's contract extension is like a shooting star crossing the night sky, instantly dissipated, ESPN Brazil revealed that Oscar has signed an agreement with São Paulo, which indicates that he will return to the Barclays Premier League stage.
According to the media outlet, Oscar's joining Sao Paulo is no longer in doubt, and the two sides are discussing the details of the deal, with no clarity yet on whether it will be a two-year pact or a three-year commitment. As São Paulo will be solely responsible for Oscar's salary and waiver fee, it also involves lucrative bonuses linked to the team's title wins and the amount of individual goals and assists.
Oscar started his journey in the Chinese Super League in January 2017 when he moved from Chelsea to Shanghai Seaport for a transfer fee of €60 million. During his years at Shanghai Seaport, he made a total of 248 appearances, scoring 77 goals and contributing 141 assists, helping the team win three Chinese Super League titles (2018, 2023, 2024) and one FA Cup title (2024). This transfer can also be seen as a return to his hometown.
Oscar, 33, is 1.80 meters tall, specializes in right foot, and mainly plays as a front man. He is valued at just €4 million in the German transfer market. This season, he made 29 appearances in the midfield, scoring 14 goals and assisting 21 times, of which 21 assists set a new single-season record in the Chinese Super League.
Oscar's annual salary had been as high as 24 million euros, playing for the team for seven years, accumulating income of about 160 million euros (about 1.226 billion yuan). Journalist Song Chengliang pointed out that the Shanghai seaport had offered an annual contract extension of 3 million dollars before tax, such a huge income gap, so that Oscar's future choices at a glance. Despite the annual salary, he remains a dedicated and exceptionally strong player.
Goodbye to Oscar, the shining star of the Chinese Super League!
