Willian will be a free agent come the summer as his contract expires on June 30, and is free to speak with the clubs outside England to sign a pre-contract agreement.
Willian signed for Chelsea from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala in August 2013 and has amassed 57 goals and 60 assists in more than 300 matches.
The former Shakhtar Donetsk star can play in a variety of positions. Though his preferred position is on either wing, as he loves to run at the defenders and cut-back infield, much like Arjen Robben-Esque, he can play in a false-nine as well as a playmaker behind the main striker. On top of that, he is a willing runner and helps flood the midfield sometimes.
With Barcelona’s unending problems in attacking positions, the Catalan giants could do with a player of his calibre. That’s why the rumours linking the Chelsea star with a move to Camp Nou continue to surface. In fact, Barcelona’s love-interest for Willian is not a new thing or has anything to do with his precarious contract situation at Stamford Bridge. The reigning Spanish champions tried to sign him on several occasions in the past but the move never came through. Even during the winter transfer window, Willian was on Barcelona’s radar but the Stamford hierarchy refused to let him leave in January because of the shortage of options for Chelsea.
Now it seems there are conflicting reports surrounding his future. While the rumours in Spain indicate that the 31-year-old Brazilian is looking for a new club and wants a change of scene, in England the reports suggest that he prefers to sign a new contract with Chelsea as he feels settled in London, as does his family.
Sources have told ESPN there is no agreement in place for Willian to join Barcelona. His first choice is to remain with Chelsea because he is settled in England and so are his family.
Chelsea have offered a 2-year contract, Willian wants 3 years. pic.twitter.com/IM0GcsqLO7
— Simon Phillips (@siphillipssport) February 2, 2020
The only problem is the longevity of the contract. According to reports, Chelsea is more than happy to offer him a new 2-year contract, but he wants to sign for three years.
Whatever the truth, the more the contract situation rumbles on between Chelsea and Willian, the more it is likely that he will leave Stamford Bridge in the summer. Barcelona bound?
