Juventus contact Chelsea star Willian over January transfer as winger enters final six months of contract
JUVENTUS have reportedly made contact with Chelsea star Willian over a January switch.
The claims Maurizio Sarri will look to bring the Brazilian to Turin next month as he enters the final stages of his Stamford Bridge contract.
Willian, 31, has been in terrific form under new boss Frank Lampard, scoring three goals and assisting a further four in 21 appearances.
However, he is yet to be offered a new deal by Chelsea.
And there are fears he could soon be leaving alongside the likes of Pedro, Olivier Giroud and Marcos Alonso.
Barcelona have been tipped to snap up Willian on a free transfer when his contract expires next summer.
But Real Madrid are said to not be interested in striking an agreement with the winger.
Willian could yet end up penning a new deal at Chelsea.
However, former Blues boss Sarri is apparently keen on bringing the midfielder to Italy after falling behind Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan in the race for the Serie A title.
Sarri believes Willian can provide the ingenuity his side currently lack in the final third.
But the veteran is said to have told friends he would rather stay with Lampard than work under Sarri for a second time.
Willian is midway through his seventh season at Chelsea and has 55 goals in 313 appearances.
He’s won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and the 2019 Europa League during that time.
Willian was named Chelsea’s Player of the Year for the 2015/16 season.
And he continues to be a fan favourite after impressing in his new No 10 shirt this term.
Boss Lampard pleaded with Chelsea chiefs in November to sort out Willian’s future ASAP.
JUVENTUS FREE TRANSFERS IN LAST DECADE
19/20
Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal)
Adrien Rabiot (PSG)
Gianluigi Buffon (PSG)
18/19
Emre Can (Liverpool)
16/17
Dani Alves (Barcelona)
15/16
Sami Khedira (Real Madrid)
14/15
Kingsley Coman (PSG)
13/14
Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao)
12/13
Paul Pogba (Man Utd)
11/12
Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan)
10/11
Luca Toni (Genoa)
09/10
Fabio Cannavaro (Real Madrid)
He said: “I can’t get involved in the money, that’s up to the club.
“But I think everyone sees from what I’m saying, and I’m relying on him and picking him and he’s producing.
“I love him at this football club. I know Willian’s qualities from playing with him, but when I looked at him over the last few years he was in and out of the team.
“From the outside I want to see him happy. I know him and he’s a happy, really easy-going lad who loves his football.
“That was the first thing, when I looked at him at the start of the season, I saw him being huge for me and the way we want to play.
“Naturally, on the ball we all know his ability to go by one-v-one and shift people and then cross or get shots away is big.
“But the off-the-ball work he’s done is an outstanding example for other young players and wingers who think the only part of the game is going past people and crossing or shooting.
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“He does the other side brilliantly, with absolute humility, so he’s been a joy and one of the experienced players that’s really helping the young boys.
“The selfless side of the game is always a starting point for me. As we work, it’s how good we can be off the ball and think about on the ball afterwards.
“When you’ve got someone showing the example high up the pitch, that just reflects everywhere.”