Arsenal has received a boost in their bid to land Willian from Chelsea for free this summer.
The Brazilian will be out of a contract at Stamford Bridge after he only extended his deal to cover the rest of the season at Stamford Bridge.
He has been asking the club for a three-year deal, but they want to give him just a two-year deal.
It appeared that they would reach an agreement over a new deal in the lead up to their FA Cup final against Arsenal, but they haven’t been able to reach that and they might never reach one again.
After the final of the FA Cup, the Brazilian’s future is a serious topic again, with the Blues having just a few days to get his future sorted.
Speaking after their FA Cup loss to Arsenal, Frank Lampard appeared to concede defeat in their bid to keep him when he claimed that he doesn’t know the decision that has been made over his future.
‘I’ve got a great relationship with Willian. I actually don’t know what that decision (contract situation) is,’ Lampard said via Mail Sport.
‘If that happens over the next few days, as he said, that will be good to me in either way.
‘Of course I’m very happy with Willian. He’s been brilliant with me this season with input and work ethic within the squad.
‘But it is his choice and I respect his choice.
‘He’s been a great servant for Chelsea if he decides to move on and if he does decide to move on, Chelsea obviously moves on as well. We have to look forward ourselves.’
Reports that he is close to signing for us on a 3 year deal on “colossal” wages! He has been in good form recently but will be 34 at the end of it, do we never learn?
He’s 32 on Sunday… I really don’t like the sound of ‘colossal wages’
I prefer him to Coutinho. Both would have little or no resale value at the end but, being a free agent, Willian’s wages and upfront fees would be considerably less.
He would be a good squad player with the ability to dribble and create spaces for other players. In spite of this, however, I do not consider him a top priority candidate at this moment and he should only be considered seriously if his wages are very attractive. In other words, we should not over-pay for his services. And lastly, we need to keep our limited transfer budget laser-focused on the areas of greatest need – CB, DM and CM. We just cannot continue to spend willy-nilly on players or prospects for the sake of getting a bargain.
Arsenal needs players that will enable us to win trophies, we do need a go mix of experience and youth but more of youth. Arsenal cannot afford to many old players, its a trend. All in all I’d choose Willian over Coutinho as WIllian is active & Coutinho is struggling to fit with any team since leaving Liverpool, so it’s hard to predict his form & resilience.