Arsenal transfer target Willian, 31, could price himself out of move as he wants same three-year deal Chelsea rejected
WILLIAN could price himself out of a move to Arsenal by demanding the same three-year deal Chelsea rejected.
The Blues star, 31, will become a free agent in the summer with his contract at Stamford Bridge expiring at the end of the season.
Arsenal have been offered the chance to snap the Brazilian up as a cut-price replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who has been linked with Barcelona, Inter Milan and even Chelsea.
But the Gunners may well be put off by the winger’s huge demands.
Willian is currently on around £120,000 per week as he looks set to be entering the final months of his time at Chelsea.
However, he is holding out for his next contract to be for another three years, almost taking him up to his 35th birthday.
Chelsea refused to give in and cash-strapped Arsenal may well be unwilling to do so either.
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But Willian’s agent Kia Joorabchian has become an increasingly influential figure at the Emirates over the past year.
He also represents the Gunners’ technical director Edu — and negotiated the signings of David Luiz and the on-loan Cedric Soares.
Now he is looking to secure one final lucrative deal for a player who cost Chelsea £32million when he joined them from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala back in 2013.
Willian has already rejected the offer of a two-year deal from Chelsea — and is also attracting interest from both Liverpool and Inter Milan.
But he is open to a move which would allow him to remain in London and could yet be open to lowering his demands to keep Arsenal interested.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is almost resigned to the idea of losing skipper Aubameyang this summer.
The £60m Gabon striker is about to enter the final year of his Emirates contract — and has rebuffed all the club’s efforts to extend his stay.
So Arsenal will look to sell their 20-goal top scorer for £30million this summer rather than lose him for nothing next year.
