Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for Chelsea’s winger Willian and it looks like the deal is finally going to happen, as per reports.
The Brazilian will be a free agent at the end of this season and a number of major clubs are interested in signing him up. Chelsea have put forward a new contract but recent reports have suggested that the player has refused to put pen on paper meaning he will be leaving Stamford Bridge pretty soon.
And now according to transfer expert David Ornstein, Arsenal are pretty close to signing Willian.
“With Arsenal, we’re led to believe a formal offer will be coming imminently, of a three-year contract and that Willian is most inclined to take that,” he said, speaking on the Ornstein and Chapman podcast, as reported by talkSPORT.
“It would appear that’s his preference and not because of money.
“Arteta wants to sign Willian, he’s asked for him to be signed. Willian’s been on Arsenal’s target list for quite some time, but this is now clearly being led by Arteta, who sees Willian as an ideal signing really.
“He is 31, going on 32 but that means he brings experience.
“He can help the young players Arsenal are trying to develop come through and he can also help bring a winning mentality and culture that Arsenal are trying to build.”
Willian will be a fine addition to the Arsenal squad but at the same time, it’s going be a bit of a shocker for Nicolas Pepe since the Chelsea man like him, also operates down the right-wing.
Pepe has been really underwhelming this season for the Gunners while Willian has been brilliant for Chelsea. So it will not be a big surprise if the Brazilian starts as one of Arteta’s first-choice wingers for the 2020-21 season.
Chelsea have seemingly given up hopes of holding onto the 31-year-old and this will be a big blow for Lampard since Willian has been in pretty decent form for the club, scoring 9 and 7 assisting goals in 36 Premier League matches this past season.
