Sam Dean
Chelsea winger Willian will make a decision on his future the day after the FA Cup final against Arsenal, his agent has said.
The Brazilian has a number of offers currently “on the table”, according to his influential agent Kia Joorabchian, including another Premier League team and two sides in Europe.
Willian’s Chelsea contract expires at the end of this season but Frank Lampard is desperate to keep him at the club following a series of impressive performances since the restart.
Arsenal would be keen to pounce if Willian does not reach an agreement with Chelsea, while Tottenham Hotspur have also shown interest in the 31 year-old.
Willian’s talks with Chelsea have been slowed by his demand for a three-year deal at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea so far only offering a two-year extension.
“He has always been under the same mode,” Joorabchian told talkSport. “He has wanted to finish the season off at Chelsea and then the day after the season has finished he will make his decision.
“He has two concrete offers from Premier League teams on the table. He has an MLS offer on the table, which is a very big offer as well. And he has got two other offers from Europe.
“So Willian is in a great position. He will make his decision after the FA Cup final. Physically he is in great condition and he has always kept himself at a very high level.
“He is playing at the top of his game with Chelsea. He has never had any injury issues so there is no reason why he can’t play for another four or five years if he wants to.”
Willian’s impressive injury history – he has made more than 40 appearances in each of his seven seasons with Chelsea – could prove crucial as clubs decide whether to offer him a three-year deal, which would take him up until he is 34 years old.
For Arsenal he represents a versatile forward option who has Premier League experience and would need very little time to adapt to the club. Signing a player of his calibre on a free transfer would be seen as a shrewd move, depending on his salary costs, as Arsenal face significant financial strain this summer.
The size of the offer they can make Willian could depend on the outcome of Saturday’s FA Cup final, with Mikel Arteta’s side needing to win to qualify for next season’s Europa League.
Arsenal’s hefty wage bill is already a huge drain on club resources and their executives will look to sell players this summer to create space. They continue to target Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Partey but remain a long way from being able to meet his £45.5 million release clause.
