Arsenal are reported to have offered Chelsea’s winger, Willian, a three-year contract and a room for another one-year, with £250,000-per-week wage bill. This comes after the Brazilian was said to have rejected a two-year contract offered to him by Chelsea.
Although the news is yet to be confirmed by both clubs and the player himself, but Willian is looking to stay in London, and just like his former Chelsea teammate and fellow countryman, David Luiz, the major reason to remain in London is solely for business sake.
According to the report by Dailymail, talks with the Brazilian on a possible two years contract extension with Chelsea failed, after parties could not reach an agreement.
The Gunners are waiting in the wings to see whether Willian manages to find an agreement with Chelsea before his contract comes to an end after the west London club’s Champions League second-leg tie with Bayern Munich on Saturday.
Chelsea, on the other hand, want to give the Brazilian a new two-year deal but no decision will be made until after the west London club’s European game on the weekend, according to ESPN.
The 31-year-old is in demand this summer, with Willian’s agent stating that five clubs are vying for his signature, including two Premier League sides and Spanish giants Barcelona.
French news outlet L’Equipe say that Real Madrid and Manchester United, along with Inter Miami, contacted Willian about his availability, though the Brazilian’s preference is to stay in London.
It is understood Arsenal’s technical director Edu, a former Brazilian international, has been influential in the winger’s talks with the Gunners, with both sides pushing for a three-year deal plus the option of a fourth
Willian has been a key figure in Lampard’s side this season, playing in 36 out of Chelsea’s 38 Premier League games, while he also made four appearances in the Blues’ run to the FA Cup final this month.
However, new attacking signings such as Ajax’s Hakim Ziyech and RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner mean that the 31-year-old’s game time is likely to be reduced next season.
The Brazilian was not involved for Chelsea’s cup final defeat to the Gunners on Saturday, despite reports that he was fit to play.
The winger joined Chelsea in 2013 from Anzhi Makhachkala and has since made 339 appearances for the Blues, scoring 63 times.
Since joining Stamford Bridge, the 31-year-old has helped the Blues win two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, one League Cup and the 2019 Europa League Final against Arsenal.