Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg have spent an amazing €80 million on Brazil international striker Hulk and Belgian midfield talent Axel Witsel.
Zenit, who will face AC Milan, Anderlecht and Malaga in their 2012-13 Uefa Champions League group, made the purchases with the Russian transfer window still open following Friday’s normal closure.
Hulk, 26, arrives from FC Porto after being continuously linked with top European clubs including Chelsea and Tottenham, while Witsel moves from another Portuguese outfit, Benfica.
Both players are available to play in the Champions League, as they met the competition September 3 deadline, and have signed five-year deals.
“We were trying to sign them before the September 3 deadline for the Champions League so they can play for us in that competition as well as the Russian league,” Zenit spokesperson Dmitry Tsimmerman told Reuters.
Zenit, who are coached by ex-Roma boss Luciano Spalletti, also have Portuguese players on their squad list including internationals Bruno Alves and Danny.