CHELSEA expect Willian to join Arsenal on a free transfer… with the two teams meeting in Saturday’s FA Cup final.
The Brazilian winger, 31, is set to leave the Blues after seven years at the club.
Willian is expected to leave Chelsea and join Arsenal on a free transfer, according to reports
He did sign a short-term extension to cover the remainder of the domestic campaign.
And his goals proved crucial in securing a top-four finish – while he will be hoping to bow out on a high with victory at Wembley this weekend.
Sky Sports reported on Monday there was a “breakthrough” in negotiations as the Blues try and convince him to stay at Stamford Bridge.
Frank Lampard wants to keep Willian but with the attacker understood to be holding out for a three-year deal, the two parties may well fail to reach an agreement.
The West London club generally avoid handing players aged 30 or older anything longer than one-year deals.
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And so according to The Guardian, Chelsea now anticipate him joining Arsenal for free instead.
Arsenal, however, would need to stump up some hefty wages and be prepared to offer him a lengthy deal.
And having failed to qualify for the Champions League, they may be priced out by Willian’s demands.
Tottenham and David Beckham’s Inter Miami were also linked with moves.
Chelsea lost golden boy Eden Hazard to Real Madrid last summer – who was widely regarded as the club’s best asset.
And Graeme Souness reckons the Blues would regret letting Willian slip through the cracks also.
He told Sky Sports: “I think he’s their best player. He wants a three-year [deal], they’ve offered two. I’d be giving it to him.
“You watch him play, he doesn’t look like a player to me whose legs are going anytime soon and he’s got great qualities.
“So I would be bending over backwards to keep him at the football club.”
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By: Joshua Jones
Title: Chelsea expect Willian to join Arsenal on free transfer at end of season… just days before pair meet in FA Cup final
Sourced From: www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/12245741/chelsea-expect-willian-join-arsenal-free-transfer/
Published Date: Tue, 28 Jul 2020 12:06:25 +0000