Barcelona keen on Willian free transfer a year after Chelsea rejected £55m bid
BARCELONA are reportedly keen on a free transfer for Chelsea contract rebel Willian.
claims Spanish chiefs are preparing to offer the winger a deal in January – 18 months after they had a £55million bid rejected by Roman Abramovich.
Willian, 31, is out of contract at the end of the season.
And it is said that he is refusing to renew his deal at Stamford Bridge.
New Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is placing his faith in youngsters this term.
Callum Hudson-Odoi, Christian Pulisic and Mason Mount have all been used on the wing so far.
And opportunities for ageing Willian could become even more limited in a year’s time when Chelsea can buy new players after their transfer ban is lifted.
It’s claimed that Barcelona have been tracking Willian for as much as ten years, when he played for Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk.
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Despite his age, the Brazil international could prove to be a great piece of business for Ernesto Valverde, giving him options on either wing and in the centre of the pitch.
Lampard has already indicated that he would like Willian to extend his Chelsea contract.
And the Blues will surely be kicking themselves if they lose the ace on a free after turning down Barca’s mega-money £55m bid in the summer of 2018.