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Arsenal confident of winning race to sign South American star ahead of Man Utd
According to reports coming out of Brazil via the Express, Arsenal are increasingly confident they’ll beat Manchester United to the signature of Chelsea attacker Willian this summer.
Willian has been a mainstay in the Chelsea side since joining the club from Anzi Makhachkala in 2013 and he’s also racked-up 70 caps for Brazil at international level so he’s been a top class player during his time in England.
However, the 31-year-old’s future at Stamford Bridge is in serious doubt as his contract expires at the end of the month and talks over a new deal has stalled as Chelsea are unwilling to give him the 3-year deal he wants.
Chelsea are already planning for life without Willian as they’ve already signed Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner while they are reportedly closing-in on a deal for Bayer Leverkusen star Kai Havertz.
Willian’s situation has alerted a number of clubs including some here in the Premier League with Arsenal and Manchester United among those linked with a move for the South American in recent weeks.
However, the Express are citing ESPN Brazil as reporting that Arsenal chiefs are ‘very optimistic’ we’ll fend off interest from United to sign Willian on a free transfer this summer.
The report says the South American winger is happy in London so Arsenal beleive we’re well placed to get a deal agreed, and the fact his representative is Kia Joorabchian will also work in our favour as the super-agent has close ties with the club these days.
Mikel Arteta desperately needs to add some creativity to the squad and while his age certainly goes against him, I think Willian would actually be an excellent addition to the squad if Arsenal could lure him to the Emirates.
The Brazilian has been Chelsea’s best player this season having contributed 11 goals and 9 assists so he’s still in the prime of his career and he’d give us another top class option out wide as Willian can play on either wing.
He wouldn’t need any time to adapt to English football as he knows the Premier League well having played here for the last seven years and the fact he’ll be a free transfer would be a huge bonus as Arsenal have limited funds in the window.
Willian would also act as a mentor for the likes of Nicolas Pepe, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli so I think this would be a solid signing if we could get it done this summer.