Oscar set to leave Chelsea in £52m China transfer

Chelsea midfielder Oscar will join Chinese side Shanghai SIPG in an astonishing £52million deal next month. 

The Brazilian will become the most expensive signing by a Chinese Super League club, joining up with his former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas as clubs in the Far East continue to splash the cash. 

Oscar has fallen out of favour under Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge this season, playing 11 matches but has not started in the Premier League since mid-September. 

The 25-year-old, having been a regular since joining Chelsea in 2012, has been a peripheral figure under Conte. 

The club have decided to cash in, having paid £19m to sign Oscar from Brazilian club Internacional four and a half years ago, as Conte looks to revamp his defence in the next two transfer windows. 

Oscar will be the latest player with Chelsea connections to play in China, following Didier Drogba, Ramires, Nicolas Anelka and Demba Ba.