Oscar's future, if he is not willing to accept an annual salary of 3 million or 2 million euros before tax, or still have the ambition to continue his career in Hong Kong, then with the expiration of the contract in 2024, his departure seems inevitable.
However, whether or not Oscar leaves is not the point; the real tricky part is when he leaves, or even if he might leave early.
Saving for a rainy day becomes the norm
According to Romano, Oscar's contract with Harbour doesn't seem to be due for a breakup this year. He mentioned that Flamengo's negotiations for Oscar's signing ends in January next year, before the start of the Barclays Premier League's 2023 season.
For Oscar and Shanghai Harbour Club, 2023 will be a crucial year in terms of whether the two sides can continue to play side by side.
Although Oscar's contract will expire at the end of 2024, the CFA has so far only released the "Financial Engagement Indicators for Clubs in the Third-Tier Professional League for the 2021-2023 Season". For players like Oscar, whose original contract salary exceeds the salary limit, the difference in salary is not included in the accounting of player salary and club's total expenditure limit until December 31, 2023, and the difference in salary is not included in the accounting of player salary and club's total expenditure limit.
In other words, things could change by 2024. This uncertainty has forced Oscar and his agent to plan ahead for the future.
Unlike many Chinese players who are accustomed to waiting until their contracts expire before discussing contract extensions with their clubs, more professional foreign aiders usually set aside more than a year.
For example, Hulk, whose contract expires in 2020, began negotiating a contract extension with Shanghai Harbour Club as early as the 2018 season; Oscar similarly signed a new contract extension with the club in 2019.
So it's not really unusual for Oscar's name to be in the transfer market rumor mill these days - it's perfectly normal.
Strategies for brokers
Romano has become a master of transfer news in international football thanks to his extensive contacts in the soccer world, especially his good relationships with many agents, which are undoubtedly mutually beneficial.
It's a common trick in the transfer market for players and agents to actively let the cat out of the bag and create pressure on all parties in order to raise their value and secure a new, better contract.
It is believed that Flamengo, a club that can only offer an annual pre-tax salary of €2 million to €3 million, similar to the Chinese Super League's foreign aid salary limit, will not be Oscar's first choice. Oscar's former teammates in Hong Kong, who won countless titles in Brazil, Hulk, in Atletico Mineiro's pre-tax annual salary did not exceed 3 million euros.
Family factors may be key
According to sources close to Oscar, his wife had wanted him to make a change earlier this year, and the family factor may be crucial for Oscar, who dotes on his wife.
But Oscar and his team of agents are also bound to consider financial factors. After all, Shanghai Harbour Club doesn't have a problem with unpaid wages, and even if he only stays until the end of 2023, it will ensure that he will have at least a few tens of millions of euros in his pocket.
Therefore, the only thing that can motivate Oscar to leave the team in the summer transfer window is the invitation from the big clubs in the European mainstream league. Oscar may be willing to make some sacrifices in terms of salary if he can return to the top European leagues.
But up to now, there is no news of European clubs interested in signing Oscar. Romano put out such news at this point in time, and added "Oscar is open to a transfer" at the end, which may be intended to attract European clubs interested in Oscar.
Harbor Club Attitude Makes All the Difference
Of course, as Oscar still has two and a half years left on his contract with the Harbour, if he wants to move to Europe or Brazil this summer, it will still depend on the attitude of Shanghai Harbour Club.
Back in 2019, Seaport completed a contract extension with Oscar, the centerpiece of the team, with the goal of a good 2020 season to ensure participation in the Club World Cup at home.
To this end, the seaport team also made many efforts, such as the signing of the Austrian international Arnautovic; before the outbreak of the new crown epidemic in early 2020, the operation of the Premier League Australian international Mui to replace the Asian foreign Ahmadov; if it is not the epidemic, Hulk, who is considered to be too old, are likely to be replaced at the beginning of the season; and there are also three Brazilian foreigners before the closure of the international passenger flights, through the chartered flights "Three Brazilian foreigners arrived on a chartered flight before the closure of international passenger flights. All of these reflect the determination of the Harbour team to compete for the title that year.
Club World Cup canceled, Harbor team's desire to compete for title declines
Now that the Club World Cup and Asian tournaments scheduled to be held in China have been canceled, Shanghai Harbour Club's desire to compete for the title through continued big investments is also declining, judging by the cost control of both last year's and this year's seasons. This is the biggest variable in whether they are willing to keep Oscar, or whether they will let him go this year.
After all, Oscar's 10 million euro annual salary is a big expense for Shanghai Harbor Club and even its parent company. If Oscar really says goodbye early, the club can also save this huge amount of money financially, which may be a good choice from the club's interests. (Yu Jiong, Shanghai)
