Arsenal are in advanced talks to sign Chelsea’s winger Willian on a free. The 31-year-old Brazil international was offered a two-year extension on his current deal, set to run out on August 31st; but the two-time Premier League winner with Chelsea has declined such an offer, holding out instead for a three-year deal.
(function(v,d,o,ai){ai=d.createElement(‘script’);ai.defer=true;ai.async=true;ai.src=v.location.protocol+o;d.head.appendChild(ai);})(window, document, ‘//a.vdo.ai/core/dkodingv2/vdo.ai.js’);The recently ended season was Willian’s best in a blue shirt since his transfer from Makhachkala Anzhi in 2013. The Brazilian winger scored nine goals and assisted seven times in the Premier League last season, adding one each in the Champions League as well. Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, is willing to accommodate Willian, who would become the second Brazilian after David Luiz to switch from the blue to the red side of London.
The 31-year-old shows no signs of slowing down just yet, playing the fourth-highest number of minutes in the Chelsea squad last season. He was one of the outstanding performers alongside Christian Pulisic and Olivier Giroud after the restart, scoring four goals, which helped Chelsea to secure their place in the Champions League for next season.
Willian is a versatile two-footed winger who can play on either wing as well as play a more central number 10 role. The Brazilian created, on average, 1.7 chances per game last season, more than was managed by all Arsenal’s creative players. In addition, he produced six Man Of The Match performances (four in the Premier League and two in the Champions League) and is usually seen as a ‘big game’ player, something that would add a winning mentality to Arteta’s squad.
Chelsea’s boss, Frank Lampard, has admitted publicly that he would be highly disappointed to see Willian go and wants to keep the Brazilian at all costs.
“The club is still in discussions with him. We want him to stay but I also appreciate the fact this contract for Willian is a big deal because of his age.
The way he is playing at the moment shows his worth to the squad and I hope it is something we can get to. Whichever way, he has been a great servant to the club and if we can get there, I will be happy. If not, I will certainly wish him well as I have a lot of time for him.”
Lampard on Willian’s contract situation
Lampard’s pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen’s Kai Havertz could be an additional obstacle in attempts to convince Willian to stay at Stamford Bridge, with the Brazilian star aware of potentially limited game time if the signing of Havertz goes through.
Whatever the outcome, Willian still has plenty to offer, and would remain a solid attacking option for either London club.
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