Inside Oscar's five years in China as Barcelona launch bid for ex-Chelsea star

Former Chelsea star Oscar is seemingly poised to return to the world stage as Barcelona plot an unlikely swoop for the Brazilian midfielder.

Oscar spent five years at Stamford Bridge before was lured to the Chinese Super League by Shanghai Port in January 2017.

The 30-year-old became the fifth-highest paid player in the world after inking a bumper four-year deal that was estimated to be worth over £500,000-a-week.

But now Oscar is reportedly ready to walk away from the riches of China after five years in order to link up with Spanish giants Barcelona.

During his time in the Premier League, Oscar established himself as a key member of the Chelsea team and notched some vital goals for the Blues.

But how has Oscar fared in the Far East since his £50million move?

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Initially, things turned out pretty well for the midfield maestro.

After a quiet start to life in China during his first season, Oscar enjoyed the most prolific campaign of his career in 2018; notching 12 goals as he inspired Shanghai SIPG to their first-ever Super League title.

He was even named in the Chinese Super League team of the year after his goalscoring heroics and he then followed that up by winning the Chinese FA Super Cup the following year.

In the league, Oscar plundered nine goals as Shanghai failed to defend their domestic crown. They eventually slumped to a third-placed finish.

Unfortunately, Oscar's stay in China has struggled to hit those heights in the years since, with both goals and silverware drying up.

He's managed just five strikes in each of the last two domestic seasons, although Shanghai did finish as runners-up in the Super League this term.

Despite a distinct lack of silverware, Oscar has remained in the Chinese Super League at a time when a lot of the top stars who were initially attracted to the Far East during its initial financial boom in 2017 have moved on to pastures new.

Oscar has even spoken out in defence of the league, insisting that "the quality is good" but more people needed to "see the games".

While Oscar has reaped the financial rewards during his four-and-a-half-year stint in Shanghai, his international aspirations have paid the ultimate price.

Although he was a regular in the Brazil squad during his time in England, Oscar has not been selected for international duty since 2016.

And it's his burning desire to earn a stunning recall ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar that could open the door for a financial compromise to be reached with Barcelona.

The Catalan giants are still in the midst of huge financial problems; meaning that Oscar would have to take an astronomical wage cut for any move to happen.

But he hinted that something could be done last week, despite the fact that his lavish contract is set to run until 2024.

"It's nice to see a great club interested in you," Oscar admitted to TNT Sports last week. "We didn't have any talks so far, there's no point doing that if Barcelona can't register new players right now. Barca is trying to sort their end out, then maybe I'll talk to my agent so we can arrange something.

"It'd be an incredible opportunity for me, for Barcelona too. I'm in great form here, it would be great for my career.

"I suppose Barca would also appreciate it as I'm now more experienced, mature and I know they have a lot of youngsters right now. It could work out for everybody. I'd be happy if things work out, but I still have a contract. Shanghai helps me a lot so I have no complaints."